I. Match each word to the correct definition.

(8 marks)
1. Diamante a. Originated in Japan. Based upon the
number of syllables in a line. Consists
of three unrhymed lines containing 17
syllables (5, 7, 5). A single idea or
feeling is portrayed and has strong
visual imagery. Often tells about nature.
2. Tanka b. A seven line poem in which the first
and last lines are opposites or
contrasts. It is written in the shape of a
diamond.
3. Ballad c. A five line poem that follows a pattern
and does not rhyme. It consists of five
lines of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 2 syllables
respectively.
4. Limericks d. A narrative poem which tells a
dramatic story in four-line stanzas with
a regular beat. Characterized by
simplicity of language, repetition of
epithets and phrases, simple rhyming
schemes (usually abcd, sometimes
abab) and refrains. Material is often
drawn from community life, local and
national history, legend and folklore.
The verse tales are usually of
adventure, war, love, death and the
supernatural. Originally set to music
and sung. An important part of
Australian literary history.
5. Cinquain e. A type of Japanese poem similar to
haiku. It consists of five lines with the
first and third lines usually having five
syllables and the others seven, making
a total of 31.
6. Riddles f. The vertical first letters name the
topic of a poem. The horizontal words
describe the topic.
7. Acrostic g. These are usually brief and lend
themselves to comic effects. The
limerick consists of three long and two
short lines rhyming aabba. Rhyme and
rhythm are used to enhance the
content.
8. Haiku h. Indirectly describe a person, place,
thing or idea. Can be any length and
usually has a rhyming scheme.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
b e d g c h f a

II. Complete the following information on the characteristics of limericks: (8 marks)

• It consists of FIVE lines.
• The rhyme pattern is A A B B A.
• The number of syllables per line is: 9/9/6/6/ 9; the inner two lines are SHORTER and rhyme
separately.
• The rhythm should be bouncy and JOLLY/HAPPY
• The FIRST line often begins “There was (a person) called (name) or from (a place)”.
• The second line often begins with “WHO”.
• The simple PAST is the usual tense.
• Word order can be played with a little to get the right rhyme.

III. The lines of the following limerick are mixed up. Put them back in the correct
order. Write the correct line numbers in the brackets. (5 marks)
He was so extremely tall and strong (2)
And screamed, “Run quickly. Here comes King Kong!” ( 5)
When people saw him first (3)
Allow me to introduce Roy Wong. (1)
They thought the very worst (4)

IV. Complete the limericks by selecting the right words below. (8 marks)
A. fan, called, bought, drove,
There was a young singer called Joe Chan
Who could not attract a single fan.
No one bought his CD
Even when it was free
So he drove off a cliff in his van.

B. orang-utang, news, absurd , boomerang ,

I once knew a boy called Oscar Pang
Who loved to play with a boomerang.
The latest news I’ve heard
(Though I know it’s absurd)
Is he’s married an orang-utang.
V. Complete the summary about Haiku (6 marks)
A haiku usually consists of three lines, with five syllables in the first line, seven in the second
and five in the third, making a total of seventeen. It tries to describe a situation and
create/evoke/present a mood. The third line sum up/ comments the first two.
VI. Use the words or phrases below to complete the Part of Speech poem (5 marks)
Quietly , A flower , Swaying and bending , Roses, Beautiful and fragrant

(an article + a noun)

…………………………………………
(an adjective + a conjunction + an adjective)
…………………………………………
(a verb + a conjunction + a verb)
…………………………………………
(an adverb)
…………………………………………
(a noun that is related to the noun on the first line)
…………………………………………
A flower
Beautiful and fragrant
Swaying and bending
Quietly
Roses