ICSE Question Bank

Examined in

2 of 2 papers

Appears almost every year — treat as core

Typically worth

9 marks

Average per paper it appears in · 18 marks in total

Usual form

Short answer

43% of this chapter's 7 questions

Needs a diagram

0%

No diagram questions in this chapter

Question-type distribution

Short answer3
MCQ2
Reasoning2

Most frequent topics

Statement-relationship 1Mood of the poem 1Images from nature 1Great trees and great souls 1The air and the breathing 1Memory and regret 1Theme and personal response 1

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Showing 7 of 7 matching questions (18 marks).

7 questions

1

Choose the correct answers to the questions from the given options. (Do not copy the questions, write ONLY the correct answers.)

1(xiii)2026

MCQEasy1 mark

The mood in the poem, 'When Great Trees Fall', moves from __________.

(a)hurt to wonder
(b)calm to distress
(c)hope to despair
(d)fear to hope

6

Read the following extract from Maya Angelou's poem, 'When Great Trees Fall', and answer the questions that follow:

6

When great trees fall, rocks on distant hills shudder, lions hunker down in tall grasses, and even elephants lumber after safety.

6(i)2026

Short answerModerate3 marks

What three images from the natural world does Angelou use to describe the effect of great trees falling?

6(ii)2026

ReasoningModerate3 marks

Angelou compares great trees to great souls. Mention two ways in which this comparison is appropriate. What is the mood created by the lines in the above extract?

6(iii)2026

Short answerModerate3 marks

What words does the poet use to describe the condition of the air around us when great souls die? What feeling is being expressed in the line, ‘We breathe, briefly’?

6(iv)2026

Short answerModerate3 marks

What, according to the poet, are the two things we remember and regret when a great soul dies? What happens to our souls when great souls die?

6(v)2026

ReasoningHard4 marks

‘Angelou’s poem is about the lasting influence of great souls.’ Explain the above statement briefly. What aspect of the poem appeals to you? Give one reason for your response.

1

Choose the correct answers to the questions from the given options. (Do not copy the questions, write ONLY the correct answers.)

1(ix)2025

MCQModerate1 mark

Select the option that shows the correct relationship between Statements (1) and (2) from Maya Angelou's poem, 'When Great Trees Fall': Statement 1: When great trees fall, the world is left permanently unstable. Statement 2: In the poem, the natural world is depicted as reacting with fear and uncertainty when great trees fall.

(a)(1) is false, but (2) is true.
(b)Both (1) and (2) are false.
(c)(1) is true, but (2) is false.
(d)Both (1) and (2) are true.