Writing a free verse poem inspired by John Lyons' poem 'Carnival Dance Lesson' | English

Starter quiz

What effect does rhyme have in the poem ‘Carnival Dance Lesson’?
- Rhyme creates a musical quality to the poem. ✓
- Rhyme creates a poem shorter in length.
- Rhyme often distracts and confuses the reader.
- Rhyme makes the pace of a poem slower.
Which poetic devices does John Lyons use in the poem ‘Carnival Dance Lesson’?
- rhyme ✓
- simile
- refrain ✓
- personification
Which verb best fits the following sentence? The electrifying atmosphere of carnival __________ with vibrant music, dazzling colours and joyous celebrations.
- drenched
- pulsated ✓
- whispered
- scolded
Which pair of adjectives best fits the following sentence? The __________ street revellers sang and danced to the calypso music at carnival.
- enthusiastic, celebratory ✓
- melodic, booming
- cold, refreshing
Which noun phrase best fits this sentence? The __________ paraded along the crowded, noisy streets.
- sizzling, juicy meat
- feathered, jewelled masks
- well-adorned, glamourous performer ✓
- floral, colourful decorations
Match the pair of adjectives to the noun.
- joyous, rowdy
  
  ⇔
  
  atmosphere ✓
- bright, metallic hues
  
  ⇔
  
  masks ✓
- calypso, energetic
  
  ⇔
  
  steel pans ✓

What are the senses that are used to generate vocabulary for a free verse poem?
- sight, sound, smell, taste and hunger
- sight, balance, smell, taste and hunger
- sight, sound, smell, taste and touch ✓
- balance, sound, smell, taste and touch
True or false? John Lyons' poem 'Carnival Dance Lesson' has a repeated rhyming refrain.
- True ✓
- False
What are the main themes of the poem 'Carnival Dance Lesson'?
- dancing ✓
- animals
- music ✓
- carnival ✓
- sky
Which pair of adjectives best fit the blanks in the following sentence? The __________, __________ costumes dazzled the rowdy crowds at carnival.
- ferocious, wild
- vibrant, colourful ✓
- torrential, heavy
- gentle, soft
Which pair of adjectives best fit the blanks in the following sentence? __________, __________ music boomed through the streets.
- Sparkling, sequined
- Fizzy, sweet
- Delicious, juicy
- Energetic, calypso ✓
Which pair of adjectives best fit the blanks in the following sentence? The smell of __________, __________ caramel popcorn permeated the air.
- sticky, sweet ✓
- sizzling, tender
- cold, refreshing
- juicy, tropical

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‘Free verse’ refers to a type of poetry that doesn’t follow a specific rhyme scheme or structure.
The themes and tone of a poem can be inferred from analysing the structure and language of the poem.
Descriptive vocabulary using the five senses enables the poet to paint a vivid picture for the reader.
Writing a free verse poem relies on the poet’s creativity rather than following rules of traditional poems.
Both rhyme and rhythm contribute to the overall musical quality of a poem by emphasising certain words or emotions.

The focus should be on finding rhyming words.

Poets should aim for natural and purposeful rhymes that complement the poem's intent rather than forcing words to fit a specific pattern.

Free verse - a form of poetry that does not adhere to regular meter or rhyme patterns, allowing for greater flexibility and freedom of expression
Rhyme - the similarity of sounds between the ending syllables of words, creating a musical quality and pattern in a poem
Rhythm - the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables, creating a musical and rhythmic flow in a poem