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XA English

Test Questions on 'The Shell'


'The Shell' - James Stephens


Discuss the following questions in pairs or in small groups and then share your ideas with the rest of the class.


1. Where does the poet find himself while holding the shell to his ear?

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2. What is the tone (or general feeling) of the poem?

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3. Explain why the poet uses such words and phrases as "whipped"; "hollow sound"; "bubbling sea-weeds"; "frightened croon"; "smitten"; "journeyed blind".

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4. The word "swish" in the second stanza is an onomatopoeic word, that is, a word which imitates the sound associated with that which it refers to. Can you think of some examples of onomatopoeic words used in English.

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5. What feelings are evoked in the poet by the scene he describes?

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6. What do you think is the importance of the poem's last two lines?

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7. Why is the shell so important as to make the poet dedicate a whole poem to it?
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