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EAL Nexus resource
Comparing two poems
Learner handout – sentences comparing poems
Subject:
English
Age groups:
12–14, 15–16
Topic:
Poetry
Licence information | This resource is free to use for educational purposes. ©British Council 2015
Source | This resource was originally developed by EAL Nexus.
Comparing two poems: ‘Checking Out Me History’
and ‘Singh Song!’
(A) Fill in the gaps with a suitable comparative connective from the
list below. There may be more than one correct answer!
however
but
whereas
although
both … and …
unlike
in the same
way
likewise
on the
other hand
similarly
1. ‘Checking Out Me History’ is written in a Caribbean creole to
emphasise the voice of the narrator. ___________, Singh’s character
in the second poem comes alive as we read his words in the nonstandard English of a Punjabi accent.
2. The narrator in ‘Checking Out Me History’ seems angry about the
attitude of people towards his history, ______________ Mr Singh in
‘Singh Song!’ doesn’t seem to worry about his customers’ rudeness.
3. John Agard uses repetition at the beginning of stanzas to give
structure to his poem. _____________, Daljit Nagra repeats phrases
to indicate different sections of his story.
4. ______________ John Agard ________ Daljit Nagra use a first
person narrator in their poems.
5. ______________ both poems help us to hear the voice of a narrator
from a different culture, Mr Singh’s character is presented in a more
personal way.
©British Council 2015
(B) Use the connectives to make your own sentences comparing the
two poems. You may choose which aspect of the poems to write
about.
Answers:
(A)
1. In the same way / Likewise / Similarly
2. but / whereas. (Could also use however / on the other hand, but
these are better used after a semicolon or to start a new sentence.)
3. In the same way / Likewise / Similarly
4. Both … and …
5. Whereas / Although
©British Council 2015