THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE

By ALFRED TENNYSON

Half a league, half a league, Theirs not to reason why,

Half a league onward, Theirs but to do and die.

All in the valley of Death Into the valley of Death

Rode the six hundred. Rode the six hundred.

Forward, the Light Brigade!

Charge for the guns! he said. III

Into the valley of Death Cannon to right of them,

Rode the six hundred. Cannon to left of them,

Cannon in front of them

II Volleyed and thundered;

Forward, the Light Brigade! Stormed at with shot and shell,

Was there a man dismayed? Boldly they rode and well,

Not though the soldier knew Into the jaws of Death,

Someone had blundered. Into the mouth of hell

Theirs not to make reply, Rode the six hundred.

THE LIVING PHOTOGRAPH by JACKIE KAY

My small grandmother is tall there,

straight-back, white broderie anglaise shirt,

pleated skirt, flat shoes, grey bun,

a kind, old smile round her eyes.

Her big hand holds mine,

white hand in black hand.

Her sharp blue eyes look her own death in the eye.

It was true after all; that look.

My tall grandmother became small.

Her back round and hunched.

Her soup forgot to boil.

She went to the awful place grandmothers go.

Somewhere unknown, unthinkable.

 But there she is still,

in the photo with me at three,

the crinkled smile is still living, breathing.

THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE

By ALFRED LORD TENNYSON

Part 1
Directions for Students: After you have carefully read the assigned reading, complete the
following sentences with whatever elaboration you think necessary to make your meaning clear.
Do not write on the test. Use separate sheets of paper so that you have room for elaboration.

1) Define the phrase valley of death. ________________________.

2) Describe the characteristics of the soldiers based on Stanza 2.

3) Discuss how the theme patriotism is demonstrated in the poem.

4) Explain the evidence from the poem which shows that the Light Brigade was on the losing end
(lost the war).

5) Make a prediction what could have happened if the soldiers decided to make reply and
reason with the command given.

6) What inference can you make about the ranking system within the army?
7) What conclusion can you draw from the choice of phrases used in the poem: valley of death,
jaws of death and mouth of hell._What do they describe?_________.

8) Imagine you were one of the soldiers of the Light Brigade. Would you have acted differently?
Explain why/why not.
___________________________________________________________________________ .
(80 marks)

Intellectual Standards and Criteria Used in the International Critical Thinking

Short Essay Test

Part 2

9) Fallen heroes are gone, but not forgotten.

In light of the above statement, how would you show appreciation for the fallen soldiers in your
country. Give at least two points (with examples and elaborations). Write your response between
80 100 words.

(20 marks)

THE LIVING PHOTOGRAPH by JACKIE KAY

Part 1
Directions for Students: After you have carefully read the poem, complete the following sentences
with whatever elaboration you think necessary to make your meaning clear. Do not write on the
test. Use separate sheets of paper so that you have room for elaboration.

1) The key theme in the poem is _______________________________________.

2) How old was the persona when the photograph was taken?__________________.

3) Which phrase in this poem shows that the author comes from a biracial family? __________

4) Explain in your own words the line she stared her own death in the eyes
________________.

5) What might happened in the Unthinkable?

_________________________________________________________________ .

6) What inference can you make about the personas relationship with the grandmother?
_________________________________________________________________.

7) Is the title The Living Photograph suitable? Why/ Why not? _______________ __________.

8) If you could change any one stanza of the poem, which would it be? Why do you suggest such
alternative intepretation of the poem?
___________________________________________________________________________ .
(80 marks)

Part 2

9) Family loves unconditionally.

In light of the above statement, to what extend does the poem The Living Photograph
exemplifies that family loves unconditionally. Write your response between 80 100 words, using
evidence from the test.
(20 marks)