This is a straightforward multiple choice quiz with 17 questions (answers provided) which can be used to structure a guided reading session or discussion about the poem. Alternatively, the questions can be set for homework prior to the completion of an unseen poetry response in class. A suggested question - How does the poet present the speaker’s thoughts and feelings about death? - is written just below the poem. Useful preparation for the GCSE Unseen poetry question. If you are studying “A Christmas Carol” the ideas in this poem segue neatly into the death of Tiny Tim.

This is a simple and straightforward multiple-choice quiz using Oscar Wilde’s “Les Silhouettes”. There are ten questions (answers provided) which could be used to structure a guided reading session prior to answering an unseen poetry response. There is a suggested question typed beneath the poem. Alternatively, the questions could be set as a homework prior to tackling the question, to secure some key knowledge.

This is a quiz intended to support students in practising their response to unseen poetry. There are 14 questions (answers provided) which are designed to prompt thinking in response to an exam style question - How does the poet present the speaker’s ideas about the garden.

This is a straightforward comprehension activity focusing on the reading skills of information retrieval, inference and analysis. The extract is from George Sims’ “How the Poor Live” and describes a large crowd of men who have assembled in the hope of being taken on as casual labourers. Useful as a cover activity, for homework, or to structure a guided reading session.

In this extract, G.W.M.Reynolds describes a crowd gathered to watch a hanging. Alongside the extract are ten questions focusing on a range of reading skills including vocabulary, analysis and evaluation. Useful for cover, for homework or as a pre-reading activity before exploring the extract in greater depth.

This is Betjeman’s simple but powerful “Harvest Hymn” with six questions focusing on the presentation of the speakers in the poem, summing up by asking the students to express the poet’s viewpoint in their own words. Created for a KS3 class but could be used for stretch and challenge at KS2 or for less confident students who need a gentle way into the unseen poetry task at GCSE English Lit.

This is a worksheet using Emily Dickinson’s poem, “Fame is a Bee” (in the public domain). There are ten questions and then a task for the pupils. This could be used to structure a guided reading or literacy lesson. Alternatively, it could be set for cover or used as a homework to support a unit on poetry or metaphor.

A straightforward powerpoint to enable students to practise their skills of analysing unseen poetry prior to their GCSE English Literature exam. The poem is in the public domain.

A straightfoward worksheet with a copy of Sassoon’s poem (which is in the public domain) and 12 questions which could be used to structure a guided reading session, or for assessment. Alternatively, this work could be set as cover or as a homework to support a unit of work on poetry, particularly the poetry of the first World War.

Sassoon’s “The Dug Out” (in the public domain) and 10 questions which could be used for cover or homework, or to structure a guided reading activity.

This is an extract from Stoker’s “Dracula” with 18 quiz questions (answers provided). This could be used for revision, as a starter activity, for homework, cover or to structure a guided reading activity.

Planned for year 11 to embed the skills needed for English Language Paper 2, question 4, this powerpoint uses two short texts (shorter than would be used in the real thing), both about pigs. One is from “The Guardian”, the other from Dickens’s “American Notes”.

A way into unseen poetry. There are questions in boxes for the pupils to work through in pairs and then an exam-style question for independent work using the ideas that have come through the discussion. Created as a cover activity; could also be used in a small group, guided reading session or for revision or homework.

This uses John Clare’s “First Love”. There are 7 comprehension questions, the ideas from which can be used to annotate the poem in preparation for tackling the exam-style question at the bottom of the page. The questions could structure a class/small group discussion before the students work independently on the exam-style question. Useful for cover, for homework or for revision.

This resource uses the speech that the Fairy delivers in response to Puck’s “How now, spirit! Whither wander you?” There are seven questions and then a longer writing task, to write a letter. The questions should furnish the children with some ideas prior to tackling the letter-writing activity. This could be used as cover, for homework or the questions could be used to structure a guided reading activity. Suggested answers are provided though these are only a guide.

This is a straightforward quiz on Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnet 29. Answers are provided. This could be used for revision or homework. Alternatively, it could be used to structure a reading of the poem.

This is a straightforward powerpoint with the aim - W.a.l.t: know and use the cinquain form. Planned for key stage three. Covers both reading and writing skills.

This is a simple and straightforward comprehension exercise using an extract from “The Strand” magazine in which the writer describes a visit to Jamrach’s Emporium to see a crocodile being force fed. There are 8 questions. This could be used as homework or a cover activity. Alternatively, it could be used as a pre-reading or guided reading activity prior to a lesson with a focus on the writer’s viewpoint.

This is a non-fiction excerpt which is a recount by a boy who attended the notorious Bowes Academy (inspiration for Dotheboys Hall). I’ve used this alongside teaching of stave 2 of “A Christmas Carol” (Scrooge’s schooldays) to give pupils some contextual information about Dickens’ attitude towards boarding schools. The extract has a task attached which uses the wording of the viewpoint question for AQA GCSE English Language Paper 2.

A simple and straightforward comprehension activity with 6 questions (answers provided) looking at a brief extract from Stave 2 where Scrooge revisits his school and is rescued by his little sister, Fan.