CHEETAH POEM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADE 12 A cheetah is innocently lolling in the long grass. All around are buck, apparently unaware of its presence. Then, as hunger takes hold, the cheetah looks for its prey. Immediately the buck break into a stampede and the cheetah gives chase.
QUESTIONS
Refer to the poem Cheetah by Charles Eglington and answer the questions below.
- Complete the following sentences by using the words provided in the list below.
young; snarling; awkward; old; smiling; graceful The poet says that the cheetah is (1.1) … but it has (1.2) … movements and it appears to be (1.3) … (3)
- What does the word “indolent” in line 1 tell you about the cheetah? State TWO (2)
- Choose the correct answer to complete the following In line 3 the speaker’s tone shows that he feels …
- the cheetah is better than the leopard.
- the leopard is better than the cheetah.
- the cheetah and the leopard are the same.
- the cheetah is quieter than the leopard. (1)
- Refer to the words “twilight barricade” in line
4.1 Identify the figure of speech used (1)
4.2 Explain why the poet uses this figure of (2) - Which ONE WORD in stanza three shows that purpose of the hunt is to find food? (1)
- Quote two consecutive words in this stanza that contradict each other (oxymoron), and suggest that the hunt is not really a game? (2)
- Refer to line 14 (“And vibrant as a hunter’s bow”).
7.1 Identify the figure of speech used (1)
7.2 Explain why the poet has used this figure of (2) - Refer to line 20 (“Compliance with the game of chance”).
Do you think the use of the word “compliance” is suitable? Discuss your view. (2) - What message does this poem have for you? (1) [18]
Answers | ||
| 1.1 | Smiling/young/graceful/awkward ✓ | |
| 1.2. | Awkward/graceful ✓ | |
| 1.3. | Young/smiling ✓ | (3) |
| 2. | The cheetah is lazy/inactive/idle ✓✓ | (2) |
| 3. | B / the leopard is better than the cheetah. ✓ | (1) |
| 4.1. | Metaphor ✓ | (1) |
| 4.2. | Night/darkness will become his shield from his prey ✓✓ OR Night/darkness will conceal/hide him from his prey ✓✓ OR Night /darkness will contain his prey ✓✓ | (2) |
| 5. | “prey” ✓ | (1) |
| 6. | “fatal play” ✓✓ | (2) |
| 7.1. | Simile ✓ | (1) |
| 7.2. | The poet compares the cheetah to a hunter’s bow. When it is hunting, the cheetah has the speed and force of a hunter’s bow and arrow. ✓✓ OR To show that the cheetah is as fast/quick as a hunter’s bow (arrow) ✓✓ | (2) |
| 8. | Yes, when one sees no way out of a fatal situation, one gives in and accepts one’s fate. ✓✓ OR No, although the herd knows that one of them is to be killed, they still try and escape. ✓✓ OR No, one does not simply accept one’s fate when facing danger/ death/ There’s always a chance of survival if one tries to escape. ✓✓ | (2) |
| 9 |
| (1) |
| [18] | ||