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Read the poem silently and complete the table.
Failure is implied as different objects in the poem. Such a comparison is known as a

metaphor.

Metaphor What does it symbolise How to tackle
rocky hill a difficult obstacle or challenge with determination and
perseverance

remain strong and positive, focus on
broken bone
healing and moving forward

tangled string

swift river

black morass a dangerous situation
treacherous pit

inky night maintain hope and optimism, look
forward to better times

Let’s appreciate the poem

1. Select the phrase that shows the poetic device—repetition. Why has the poet used it?

2. Which structure of lines does the poem follow—quatrains / couplets / free verse?

3. Select an example of alliteration from the poem.

4. How can we say that the poet uses imagery in this poem?

Let’s ponder

A. Read the extracts and answer the questions that follow.

1. Failure is a tangled string:

Puzzle out the knotted thing!

a. Select the word which tells us that we need to overcome our confusions when
we fail.

b. Complete the following.

string : life :: knots :

c. State whether the following sentence is True or False.

We must patiently wait for someone to help us overcome our failure.
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