Grade 7 English Worksheet
Assessment Task: Poetry, A. Tennyson - "The Eagle"
Carefully read through the poem “The Eagle” by Alfred Tennyson.
Look up the meaning of any unknown words before you begin.
Write down the dictionary definition of the word/s you have looked up above the word in the poem.
Close your eyes and imagine the landscape and the action this poem describes before answering the
questions.
The Eagle by Alfred Tennyson
Line 1 He clasps the crag with crooked hands;
Close to the sun in lonely lands,
Ringed with the azure world he stands.
Line 4 The wrinkled sea beneath him crawls,
He watches from his mountain walls,
And like a thunderbolt he falls.
Questions
1. Briefly describe what this poem is about. Pay particular attention to the action in the
poem. [3]
2. Name and explain the effect of the sound device used in line 1. [3]
3. Explain the effectiveness of the adjectives describing the following nouns:
a) lands
b) sea
[2]
4. Suggest a reason for the poet’s choice of the colour ‘azure’ in line 3. [2]
5. Identify the figure of speech used in the last line and explain the effect it creates. [2]
6. Describe the setting of this poem.
[2]
7. This short poem is extremely powerful. How has the poet created such a vivid description
using so few words? [3]
8. Contrast (compare) line 3 with line 6. [2]
9. What is unusual about the verb used in the last line? What does the thunderbolt image
suggest? [1]
[20 marks]
Edupstairs Grade R - 9 Learning www.edupstairs.org
Grade 7 English Worksheet
With a partner, assess yourselves using the checklist below.
Have you answered “Yes” to the Yes
following?
1. Answers are punctuated.
2. Quotation marks are used
when quoting.
3. Writing is neat and legible.
4. The meanings of unknown
words have been looked up and
written down.
Edupstairs Grade R - 9 Learning www.edupstairs.org
Grade 7 English Worksheet
Suggested Solutions
Question Possible Solution
number marks
1. 3 An eagle has fallen from up high above. He either swooped down or has met his
death. The thunderbolt image suggests the former.
2. 3 The alliteration is effective, as one can almost hear the scratching sound of the
eagle’s talons clasping onto the crag. The ‘c’ sound is harsh and strong, just as
an eagle is a bird of prey, suggesting that he is feared by many creatures.
3. 2 Lonely lands – an eagle is a solitary bird of prey. The sea is wrinkled when
perceived from the viewpoint of the eagle – the waves create this effect.
4. 2 ‘Azure’ describes the deep blue of the sky reflecting the sea below as perceived
from the viewpoint of the eagle.
5. 2 Simile. It compares the swift movement of the eagle to that of a thunderbolt. It
creates an impression of speed and power.
6. 2 The setting is high up above, on a crag, possibly near a mountain summit.
7. 3 The action depicted is dramatic – the eagle could have died or swooped down
for prey. The opening lines describing the setting create a peaceful
environment. The second stanza is action-packed.
8. 2 These lines are contrasted – the moods they create are different. Line 3 creates
the impression of tranquillity and harmony. Line 6 is fast-moving and has
sinister connotations.
9. 1 One would not expect an eagle to ‘fall’. They are able to fly well. The
thunderbolt image suggests swooping on his prey.
[20
marks]
Edupstairs Grade R - 9 Learning www.edupstairs.org
Grade 7 English Worksheet
Appendix of Assessment Tools
Refer to Prometheus to have an extended discussion on this poem.
Checklist for educator: comprehension questions
(Deduct ½ mark *for relevant answer+ if the answer is “No”.)
Check the following: Yes No
1. There is relevant punctuation
on all answers.
(Full stops, capitals, apostrophe,
etc.)
2. Quotation marks are used
when quoting.
3. The writing is neat and legible.
4. Dictionary work has taken place
– words have definitions written
down.
Edupstairs Grade R - 9 Learning www.edupstairs.org
