1. Fill in the blanks in this passage about the poem POISONED TALK.

Use the words

given.

crime man question

confession

environment pollution death

The poem Poisoned Talk by Raymond Wilson is about the lethal effects of
pollution on the (1) ____________________. Each verse begins with a (2)
____________ about who is responsible for the (3) __________ of an element of
nature. This is followed by a (4) _______________ by the guilty party. The culprit
explains how he committed the (5) ____________. From his explanation, we realise the
death was caused by (6) ____________. The real killer is (7) _________, who polluted
the earth.

2. Answer the following questions on the poem Poisoned Talk.

a. Who confessed to killing cock robin?
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b. What great harm did the worm do to cock robin?
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c. Where did cock robin die?
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d. What poisoned the worm?
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e. Who confessed to killing the heron?
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f. Where does the heron live?
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g. What does the tainted mean?
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h. What kind of birds are the tern, duck and drake?
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i. Who confessed to killing the forest?
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j. What does the word ensured (line 22) tell us about this crime?
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k. What does word life refer to?
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l. What does the last line (line 25) tell us about the power of the killer? Give reason for
your answer.
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3. Describe your feelings about pollution after reading this poem.

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4. In your opinion, why did the poet write this poem? Give a reason for your answer.
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