Reading Assessment

Guided Lesson
Year 6 Term 3
For use with the poetry text:
‘Throwing a Tree’.
13. What does the word ‘stalk’ mean and what does it suggest 1
about the tree fellers? mark

There are two parts to the question: a

Discuss possible answers and how to
definition and your inference about
achieve both marks.
the word.

The two executioners stalk along over the knolls,

Bearing two axes with heavy heads shining and wide,
 Mark Scheme

The word stalk means to follow or pursue something that you are trying to
capture, or to go in search of prey, in particular by moving slowly and quietly.

It’s as if the tree fellers are pursuing or capturing the trees as their prey. It makes
them seem like hunters.

Your answer might not match the example answer exactly, but should convey
the same idea.
14. Circle the word that is closest in meaning to ‘doffed’. 1
mark

chopped tied removed swing

Jackets doffed they swing axes and chop away just above ground,
And the chips fly about and lie white on the moss and fallen leaves;

Find where the word is used in the

Rule out any definite wrong answers.
poem. Even if you don’t know the
In this case the word is associated
word, you can use strategies to figure
with ‘jackets’. Is this a clue?
out its meaning.
Take advantage of multiple choice
Would jackets be chopped or
options by testing out each one to see
swung?
if it sounds possibly correct.
15. What evidence is there in the poem that chopping the tree 2
is a difficult task? marks

This question refers to the whole poem, not just one particular area.

It is worth 2 marks, so try to make 2 separate points.

Think carefully about the whole poem. What

clues are there about the task being difficult?
 Mark Scheme
Award 2 marks for references to any 2 of the points indicated.

Answers may include:

•Requires tools such as axes, saws and rope.
•Actions such as ‘swing axes’, ‘chop away’.
•Tug the rope then step back to pull some more – doesn’t come down easily.
•Takes nearly two hours / long staying powers indicating resistance.
•Several separate stages to complete – chopping, sawing, pulling.
16. Order these events from the poem. 1
The first one has been done for you. mark

2 An axe is used to chop a broad gash all around the trunk.

4 The saw is used along with the rope until the tree comes down.

1 The tree is marked in advance ready for cutting.

3 A rope is hooked upward.

Write the numbers in the boxes,

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 17. Write the correct tools to match the descriptions in 1
this table. mark

tool description

axe Heavy head shining and wide

saw Long limp two-handled Look in the

The
poemquestion
for theis
only
descriptions
worth one
mark,
and read
so both
the
‘The two executioners stalk along over the knolls, rest
labels
of the
needlines
to
Bearing two axes with heavy heads shining and wide, tobediscover
correct the
to
And a long limp two-handled saw toothed for cutting great correct
achievetools
it.
boles, that match.
And so they approach the proud tree that bears the death-
mark on its side.’
18. How long had the tree been growing for? 1
mark

Numbers can be easy

What could you look Key Reading Skill
to spot when written in
for in the poem for Skim and scan to look
figures, but less
evidence of this for relevant
obvious when written
answer? information.
as words.

The tree crashes downward: it shakes all its neighbours throughout,

And two hundred years' steady growth has been ended in less
than two hours.
19. How does the poet try to make the reader feel sorry for the 3
tree? Refer to the text to support your answer. marks

Don’t be put off by a big space to write or 3 marks being available!

It is worth 3 marks, so try to make 3 separate points.

Key Reading Skill: identify/explain how meaning is enhanced through choice of

words and phrases.
20. What are the names given to the tree fellers? 1
mark

The names are unusual but one clue

Key Reading Skill
is that they must each begin with a
To retrieve and record information.
capital letter.

Then, lastly, the living mast sways, further sways: with a shout
Job and Ike rush aside. Readied the end of its long staying powers.
 21. Which of these sentences best summarises the poet’s feelings 1
about the tree being chopped down? Tick one. mark

The poet is celebrating and happy about the event.

The poet is glad the tree was chopped down because it was too old.

The poet seems sorrowful and disappointed that it has happened.

The poet doesn’t really mind whether the tree is cut down or not.

Read
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through
evidence
four options
the
from
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theagain,
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Summarise there
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than one paragraph
rule out? or verse.
 22. Which of these words or phrases are used to 1
describe the tree? Tick three. mark

living mast heavy head

long and limp proud

broad and deep tall giant

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Notice this time that three options need to be ticked.
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describe
one paragraph
the tree!or verse.
23. What is meant by the phrase ‘it shakes all its neighbours’? 1
mark

Find the quoted phrase in the poem to

Key Reading Skill
see if the context helps you
Make inferences from the text.
understand.

The tree crashes downward: it shakes all its neighbours throughout,

And two hundred years' steady growth has been ended in less than two
hours.
 Mark Scheme
Award one mark for an answer indicating the force of the tree crashing to the
ground, causing other trees to shake.

 
E.g. The tree crashes to the ground with great force, probably shaking the ground
as it lands. This causes the other trees – or its neighbours – to shake too.
 24. How long did the whole process take to chop down 1
the tree? mark

Even if you think you remember the

Skim and scan through the text again
answer from first reading, check
to look for a length of time.
again to be sure!

The tree crashes downward: it shakes all its neighbours throughout,

And two hundred years' steady growth has been ended in less than two
hours.
25. Look at the line: ‘And so they approach the proud tree that bears
the death-mark’.
2
marks

Explain the meaning of the words ‘bears’ and ‘death-mark’ in this

sentence.

tool description

displaying or showing; has been marked with

bears something to make it stand out; it has or continues to
have the mark.
some kind of symbol or sign indicating that this is the
death-mark tree to be felled; ‘death’ means it will be chopped down
and killed as it is a living thing.

Two separate definitions are required, so each is likely to be worth one

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