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Tangled Up In Poetry

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I teach English Lit and Lang at IGCSE and IB Level. Resources here are mainly for these courses but I often upload KS3 resources too. Currently I am working on War of the Worlds and the new Songs of Ourselves for 2026. Drop me a line on: underthevolcanoagain@gmail.com for one-to-one tuition.

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I teach English Lit and Lang at IGCSE and IB Level. Resources here are mainly for these courses but I often upload KS3 resources too. Currently I am working on War of the Worlds and the new Songs of Ourselves for 2026. Drop me a line on: underthevolcanoagain@gmail.com for one-to-one tuition.
IB - Paper 1 - Mock Exam with Model Response for Level 7 - Language and Literature
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IB - Paper 1 - Mock Exam with Model Response for Level 7 - Language and Literature

(0)
This is an exam I made based on an analysis of a website promoting a VR headset made by Facebook in February 2021. I have included an example intro, thesis and opening analytical paragraph to show students how to use clusters of quotes and connect style, language and meaning. I am sure it will be useful for the upcoming exam as many students find it difficult to construct in depth paragraphs.
Midsummer Night's Dream Plot Quiz With Answers
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Midsummer Night's Dream Plot Quiz With Answers

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18 questions for students to show their understanding of the plot. This could also be used as an intro to the text and students could work on computers to find the answers. I have also included an answer sheet for quick marking.
The Telephone Call by Fleur Adcock - Full Lesson - CIE Poetry iGCSE 2023-25
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The Telephone Call by Fleur Adcock - Full Lesson - CIE Poetry iGCSE 2023-25

(4)
In this 20-slide PowerPoint presentation you will find: about the author, breaking down the title, a dramatic reading activity, 5 thought-provoking/annotation questions on each stanza, tasks on theme, tone, structure and the author’s message; and finally a short creative-writing activity. It will require at least one full hour of teaching but could easily be amended. If you take the writing activity further, it might be better spread over two lessons. Hopefully this PP will be of use in preparing your students for their iGCSE exams, or beneficial to anyone studying this poem. Any feedback is always appreciated.
The Spirit Is Too Blunt An Instrument by Anne Stevenson  - Full Lesson - CIE Poetry iGCSE 2023-25
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The Spirit Is Too Blunt An Instrument by Anne Stevenson - Full Lesson - CIE Poetry iGCSE 2023-25

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This detailed PowerPoint takes students through some of the big questions raised in the poem, having them discuss in groups and then feedback to the class. It picks out key vocabulary and and has students analyse language. There is a short close analysis of sound imagery and an essay question with “break down” questions. Also, there are a couple of model analytical paragraphs to help with essay writing.
Ozymandias - Lesson Activities, Quizzes, Model Analysis - CIE Poetry iGCSE 2023-25
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Ozymandias - Lesson Activities, Quizzes, Model Analysis - CIE Poetry iGCSE 2023-25

(4)
In this PowerPoint you will find: thematic discussion questions, a quiz about Percy Shelley, the ‘story’ of the poem explained, a mindmapping task on Ramesses II, the author’s message, line by line questions, a gap fill about extended metaphor, a brief overview of the framed narrative form, and an annotated model response with essay writing prompts and instructions. All in all, students should have a good grasp of the poem after studying this, and teachers will not have any planning apart from possibly printing any slides they might want students to stick into their books. Any feedback is always much appreciated.
Away Melancholy by Stevie Smith - Full Lesson of Activities - CIE Poetry iGCSE 2023-25
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Away Melancholy by Stevie Smith - Full Lesson of Activities - CIE Poetry iGCSE 2023-25

(3)
In this 20 slide PowerPoint presentation, you will find: a selection of artwork from Boticceli, Munch, and Monet with discussion questions around the theme of “melancholy”, further thematic discussion questions, a gap filling task on the potential meaning and purpose of the poem (with answers), a line by line interpretation/analysis, and then the lesson culminates with an extended plenary whereby students are provided with colour-coded annotations that they have to label on the poem - these are more technical features, such as imagery, tone, assonance, repetition, asyndeton, and contrast. There are also a few possible essay questions at the very end that could be useful if you think students are ready to tackle an essay, or paragraph. By completing these activities, students will have a good understanding of the poem; it could be shared with them when exams are nearing. Also included is an essay planning sheet and a model paragraph.
The Man with Night Sweats by Thom Gunn - Lesson and 1000 Word Model Essay - CIE Poetry iGCSE 2023-25
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The Man with Night Sweats by Thom Gunn - Lesson and 1000 Word Model Essay - CIE Poetry iGCSE 2023-25

(3)
The PowerPoint includes: mindmapping the title, comprehension questions for every line, a variety of activities, line by line analysis, contextual information, rhyme scheme, essay questions, criteria, and an example colour-coded paragraph. Also, I have included a link to my YouTube analysis and a 1000 word essay. It is very thorough and detailed, easy to follow, and with logical animations. It will take between two and three hours to cover fully.
The City Planners by Margaret Atwood - Lesson and 1000 Word Model Essay - CIE Poetry iGCSE 2023-25
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The City Planners by Margaret Atwood - Lesson and 1000 Word Model Essay - CIE Poetry iGCSE 2023-25

(4)
A detailed PowerPoint that provides: prereading activities, about the author, annotations, comprehension questions, line by line technical/language analysis, and three essay questions to challenge students. I have also written an example essay, which is also included. Students like the fun activity which involves them comparing the poem to the opening scene of David Lynch’s movie, Blue Velvet. I hope you like it. Here is a link to my supplementary YouTube video too: https://youtu.be/vTm92Pokmc0
From Long Distance by Tony Harrison - Lesson Activities - CIE Poetry iGCSE 2023-25
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From Long Distance by Tony Harrison - Lesson Activities - CIE Poetry iGCSE 2023-25

(4)
In this PowerPoint presentation, you will find: line by line questions, analysis of rhyme scheme and tense shifts, a comparison task where students interpret the opening page of The Stranger by Albert Camus to discuss the poem’s theme of “the irrationality of grief”, and a media based activity where students have to create a YouTube video of the poem using still images. It should be quite an interesting and fun series of tasks for students to develop a good understanding of the poem.
Request To A Year by Judith Wright - Full Lesson Activities - CIE Poetry iGCSE 2023-25
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Request To A Year by Judith Wright - Full Lesson Activities - CIE Poetry iGCSE 2023-25

(2)
In this simple 9 slide PowerPoint, you will find: thematic questions about heroes and feminist struggles, line by line questions, detailed summary of the poem with a gap-fill task, a drama activity where students act the event in the poem out, and a writing activity where students write a letter from the great-great-grandmother in the poem to the author. Finally, students peer assess their writing based on spelling, punctuation, grammar, paragraphing, and tone. It is a fairly easy-to-understand poem that students will benefit from exploring using these different pedagogical platforms.
On Finding a Small Fly Crushed in a Book - Full Lesson - CIE Poetry iGCSE 2023-25
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On Finding a Small Fly Crushed in a Book - Full Lesson - CIE Poetry iGCSE 2023-25

(3)
In this PowerPoint you will find a detailed breakdown of the poem’s central meaning, line by line questions, line by line summary, a true/false quiz, finish the sentences activity, a group work discussion task, and students end the analysis by creating their own YouTube video exploring the theme of ‘death’ in the poem. Prompts have been provided for the video’s content.
He Never Expected Much by Thomas Hardy- Full Lesson - CIE Poetry iGCSE 2023-25
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He Never Expected Much by Thomas Hardy- Full Lesson - CIE Poetry iGCSE 2023-25

(3)
In this PowerPoint you will find a detailed summary of the poem, some pre-reading activities, a breakdown of structure, style and rhyme, teacher annotations, and a model analysis and interpretation, which I have colour-coded to highlight embedded quotes, techniques and personal interpretation. Overall, this poem resource is quite a teacher-led presentation as this is one of the trickier poems in the anthology to break down from first glance. By using this resource, the poet’s central message and some of his techniques should be understood by your students. I hope it is useful for your iGCSE class. I have also added a supplementary YouTube video to help with introducing the poem to students - it could be a homework task to watch the video before the lesson.
A Consumer's Report by Peter Porter - Full Lesson - CIE Poetry iGCSE 2023-25
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A Consumer's Report by Peter Porter - Full Lesson - CIE Poetry iGCSE 2023-25

(3)
In this PowerPoint presentation you will find: 20 questions to help students annotate and understand the poem, pre-reading activities related to the theme of commodification, a brief introduction to Marxism, an example of how the brand Oreo used the Gay Pride flag to help sell its product and brand itself, about the author (very brief), and finally an example analytical paragraph used for modelling, answering the question: How does Peter Porter, in his poem A Consumer’s Report, convey his views on the commodification of life? This PowerPoint can be bought individually or as part of a bundle at a discount.
The Planners by Boey Kim Cheng - Lesson and Model Paragraph - CIE Poetry iGCSE 2023-25
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The Planners by Boey Kim Cheng - Lesson and Model Paragraph - CIE Poetry iGCSE 2023-25

(3)
This lesson features: general discussion questions, line by line questions to help students engage with the poem either before or during the lesson, and a detailed line by line analysis, highlighting some techniques and providing interpretation. Then we have an essay question, model introduction, and first analytical paragraph. The next paragraph has been started, and quotes provided - students should finish it off. I have also included a link to my supplementary YouTube video which acts as an introduction/revision tool for students. Students are making a Poetry Portfolio, where they stick in each poem, annotate, and analyse with the 4 big questions, which I have included at the end of the PP.
Funeral Blues by WH Auden - Full Lesson - Variety of Activities - CIE Poetry iGCSE 2023-25
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Funeral Blues by WH Auden - Full Lesson - Variety of Activities - CIE Poetry iGCSE 2023-25

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In this PowerPoint you will find: three readings of the poem, the poem’s backstory, questions on form/technique/ambiguity, a technique/quote matching activity, a line by line commentary, a final fun task where students perform the poem dramatically in small groups as others rate them on a simple performance rubric. It is informative but also quite fun and you can skip activities as you wish. I hope it is useful and any feedback would be much appreciated.
The Bay by James K Baxter - Lesson and 1000 Word Model Essay
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The Bay by James K Baxter - Lesson and 1000 Word Model Essay

(2)
A full and detailed lesson with plenty that will challenge students. PowerPoint presentation includes: vocabulary explained, questions about every line of the poem, line by line technical analysis, about the author, and a 1000 word example essay has also been added. I have made a supplementary YouTube video, that can also be found here, which should help students when at home or revising. I really hope it is useful. This poem is no longer in the iGCSE anthology.