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I. Select the correct central idea for each stanza from the options given.
Stanza 1
: choose the correct central idea.
See Lines 1-2
How to answer:
Read the exact line or option first, then choose the answer that matches the poem without adding a new idea.
View Answer
Stanza 1
— Correct:
(i)
.
Why:
“There is no crowd to see, it’s just you and the future” shows it is a
personal
journey with focus on
your own future
, not one taken with others.
Stanza 2
: choose the correct central idea.
See Lines 7-8
How to answer:
Read the exact line or option first, then choose the answer that matches the poem without adding a new idea.
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Stanza 2
— Correct:
(i)
.
Why:
“Difficult are choices when the future is getting near” shows that
fear and uncertainty make choices hard
as the future approaches.
Stanza 3
: choose the correct central idea.
See Lines 11-12
How to answer:
Read the exact line or option first, then choose the answer that matches the poem without adding a new idea.
View Answer
Stanza 3
— Correct:
(ii)
.
Why:
“this isn’t what we are made for / this isn’t how we grow” shows growth needs us to
leave comfort and embrace change
, not just balance them.
Stanza 4
: choose the correct central idea.
See Lines 13-14
How to answer:
Read the exact line or option first, then choose the answer that matches the poem without adding a new idea.
View Answer
Stanza 4
— Correct:
(ii)
.
Why:
“The first step is the hardest… you just need to believe in yourself” shows the first step is
difficult, but self-belief keeps you on track
.
II. Rhyme Scheme. Fill in the blank: The poem follows a simple, yet effective rhyme scheme ____ that flows steadily through each stanza.
II. Rhyme Scheme. Fill in the blank to complete the following sentence. The poem follows a simple, yet effective rhyme scheme _________ that flows steadily through each stanza.
How to answer:
Look for the exact word or phrase from the poem or box, then fit it grammatically into the sentence.
View Answer
The poem follows the
ABCB
rhyme scheme — in each stanza, only the
2nd and 4th lines rhyme
(for example, “see / be”, “fear / near”, “quo / grow”, “back / track”), while the 1st and 3rd lines do not rhyme.
III. Tone. State whether the following statements are true or false.
1. The overall tone of the poem is motivational and encouraging.
How to answer:
Start with the direct point, support it with a poem line or example, and end with the main idea in one clear sentence.
View Answer
True.
The poem urges the reader to face challenges, leave the comfort zone and believe in themselves — so its overall tone is
motivational and encouraging
.
2. The tone shifts from thoughtful in the beginning to one of determination by the end of the poem.
How to answer:
Start with the direct point, support it with a poem line or example, and end with the main idea in one clear sentence.
View Answer
True.
At the start, the poet is
thoughtful
(weighing fear and difficult choices). By the end (“believe in yourself”), the tone becomes
determined and confident
.
IV. Speaker. Fill in the blanks with the correct options from the brackets.
IV. Speaker. Fill in the blanks with the correct options from those given in the brackets. The speaker in this poem is not distant; rather, he/she comes across as a _________ (stranger/guide) who understands the struggle and is encouraging the reader to take ____________ (interest in/control of) his/her own future. The use of direct address ‘You’ creates a close connection, as though the speaker is __________. (talking directly to the reader/addressing the reader from a distance)
How to answer:
Look for the exact word or phrase from the poem or box, then fit it grammatically into the sentence.
View Answer
The speaker comes across as a
guide
who understands the struggle and is encouraging the reader to take
control of
his/her own future. The use of direct address ‘You’ creates a close connection, as though the speaker is
talking directly to the reader
.
V. Imagery. Match the phrases in Column 1 with the imagery they represent in Column 2. (An extra option is given.)
| Column 1 (Phrase) | Column 2 (Imagery) |
|---|---|
| 1. There is no crowd to see... | (ii) Suggests a solitary journey, stressing individual effort. |
| 2. push you back in fear? | (iii) Evokes the mental barrier that prevents growth. |
| (extra) | (i) Represents the difficulty of beginning a new challenge or change. |
Check the matching (Column 1 → Column 2).
How to answer:
Match the phrase with the image or idea it creates, then verify that no extra option is being forced.
View Answer
Answers:
- 1. “There is no crowd to see…” → (ii) a solitary journey, stressing individual effort.
- 2. “push you back in fear?” → (iii) the mental barrier that prevents growth.
- The extra option (i) (difficulty of beginning a new challenge) is not used — it fits the “first step” idea instead.
VI. Symbolism. Select the words/phrases from the box to complete the sentences. (Box: unknown, self-improvement, courage, leap of faith, stagnation)
1. Comfort and the status quo represent
stagnation
and fear of change, symbolising the comfort zone that holds one back.
How to answer:
Start with the direct point, support it with a poem line or example, and end with the main idea in one clear sentence.
View Answer
Comfort and status quo mean staying still — that is
stagnation
(no movement or growth).
2. The future symbolises the
unknown
, the potential for change and success that lies ahead but requires
courage
to step into.
How to answer:
Start with the direct point, support it with a poem line or example, and end with the main idea in one clear sentence.
View Answer
The future is the
unknown
, and stepping into it needs
courage
(bravery).
3. The first step symbolises the initial
leap of faith
required to begin the journey of
self-improvement
or personal development.
How to answer:
Start with the direct point, support it with a poem line or example, and end with the main idea in one clear sentence.
View Answer
The first step is a
leap of faith
(a brave start with trust), beginning
self-improvement
.
VII. Metaphor. The poet uses a metaphor in the line ‘The first step is the hardest’. Explain why this is metaphorical.
Why is ‘The first step is the hardest’ a metaphor?
See Lines 13-14
How to answer:
Start with the direct point, support it with a poem line or example, and end with the main idea in one clear sentence.
View Answer
It is a
metaphor
because the “first step” does
not
mean a real, physical step taken with the foot. Here it stands for the
first action or decision needed to begin a change or a new journey
. The poet calls this beginning the “hardest” because
starting something new is the most difficult part
— after that, things become easier. So an abstract idea (beginning a change) is described using the picture of a “step”.
VIII. Antithesis. Identify the lines from the poem that show antithesis and explain why it is so.
Which lines show antithesis, and why?
See Lines 11-12
How to answer:
Start with the direct point, support it with a poem line or example, and end with the main idea in one clear sentence.
View Answer
The clearest antithesis is in:
“But this isn’t what we are made for / This isn’t how we grow.”
Here the idea of
comfort and staying the same
is set against the idea of
growth and change
, in a
parallel structure
(“this isn’t… this isn’t…”). Another example is “
Will it pull you forward / or push you back in fear?
”, which contrasts
moving forward
with
going back
. This is antithesis because it
places opposite ideas side by side in a similar structure
to highlight the difference and make the message stronger.
