Observation

A good number of candidates attempted this question. however, their responses showed that they did not understand the poem and as such could not link the theme of endurance to it. Rather, they gave their own understanding of the word ‘endurance’ without relating it to the poem.

The required answer should include the following points:

• The havoc wreaked on the birch trees by snow and ice storms which bend them.
• The resilience of the birch trees as they lie or bend.
• The swinging of birch trees for sport by ‘some boy’ and the speaker, illustrating their ability to withstand abuse.
• The lesson the speaker learns about the birch trees through observation and experience.

Candidates' performance in this question was poor.