POEM POISONED TALK EXERCISE FORM 3

a. Fill in the blanks in this passage about the poem POISONED TALK. Use the word
given.

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.

B. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS ON THE POEM POISONED TALK.

a. Who confessed to killing cock robin?

b. What great harm did the worm do to cock robin?
c. Where did cock robin die?
d. What poisoned the worm?

a. Who confessed to killing the heron?

b. Where does the heron lives?
c. What does the tainted mean?
d. What kind of birds are the tern, duck and drake?

a. Who confessed to killing the lake?

b. How does the killer feel about his crime?
c. What is weapon used by the killer?
d. Why did the culprit commit the crime?

a. Who confessed to killing the lake?

b. How does the killer feel about his crime?
c. What is weapon used by the killer?
d. Why did the culprit commit the crime?

a. Who confessed to killing the flowers?

b. What does prowl unconfined mean?
c. How were the flowers killed?
d. Why do you think the poet uses alliteration in the last line (line 20)?

a. Who confessed to killing the forest?

b. What does the word ensured (line 22) tell us about this crime?
c. What does word life refer to?
d. What does the last line (line 25) tell us about the power of the killer? Give reason
for your answer.

Describe your feelings about pollution after reading this poem.

a. How did the worm kill cock robin?

b. How does Industry feel about killing the lake?
c. Name two poisonous substances mentioned in the poem
d. Do you think the fish should be blamed for the death of the birds of the lake?
Give a reason for your answer.

a. Cock robin and the birds of the lake died of the same cause. What is the cause of
their deaths?
b. Who took the blame for killing the flowers?
c. What did sulphur dioxide destroy?
d. In your opinion, why did the poet write this poem? Give a
reason for your answer.

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