Sample question
If you are studying poetry with CCEA your examination will be 'open book'. This means you will have an unannotated copy of the poems and you will be asked to compare two poems from your chosen anthology.
If you are studying An Irish Airman Foresees his Death you are studying the Conflict anthology. The following is an example of the type of question you will get.
An Irish Airman Forsees His Death by William Butler Yeats deals with the futility of war. Look again at this poem, and at one other poem from the Conflict anthology which also deals with the futility of war.
With close reference to the ways each poet uses language, compare and contrast what the speakers in the poems say about the futility of war.
You should include relevant contextual material.
It will be up to you to choose a poem that deals with the same theme.
You must read the question carefully to ensure you understand exactly what you are being asked about conflict as all the poems in the anthology differ in their approach and message.
For example, you could compare An Irish Airman Forsees His Death on the theme of the futility of war with:
Anthem for Doomed Youth by Wilfred Owen
Mametz Wood by Owen Sheers
Requiem for the Croppies by Seamus Heaney
Bayonet Charge by Ted Hughes