Success Homeschool

Year 7 English · Poetic forms

Name: ______________________

Date: ____________

1. How many syllables does a 5-7-5 haiku have altogether? Type a number.
2. What is the rhyme scheme of a limerick?
- ☐ (a) ABAB
- ☐ (b) AABB
- ☐ (c) AABBA
- ☐ (d) ABCDE
3. Which form is best known for being funny?
- ☐ (a) Haiku
- ☐ (b) Limerick
- ☐ (c) Cinquain
- ☐ (d) Free verse
4. How many lines does a cinquain have? Type a number.
5. Which statement best describes free verse?
- ☐ (a) It must rhyme in every line.
- ☐ (b) It always has 17 syllables.
- ☐ (c) It has no fixed pattern of rhyme, rhythm or line length.
- ☐ (d) It must be about nature.
6. How many syllables are in the word 'butterfly'? Type a number.
7. Which line has exactly 7 syllables and could be the middle line of a haiku?
- ☐ (a) the wind
- ☐ (b) a cold wind whispers through the pines
- ☐ (c) leaves drift down to the still pond
- ☐ (d) autumn
8. Why might a poet choose a haiku to describe a single dewdrop on a leaf?
- ☐ (a) Because haiku must rhyme
- ☐ (b) Because its short, focused form makes readers slow down and notice one small moment
- ☐ (c) Because haiku are always funny
- ☐ (d) Because haiku have no rules

Answer sheet

1. 17 — 5 + 7 + 5 = 17.
2. AABBA — Lines 1, 2 and 5 rhyme (A); lines 3 and 4 rhyme (B).
3. Limerick — Limericks use bouncy rhythm and rhyme and usually end with a comic twist.
4. 5 — 'Cinq' means five in French – a cinquain has five lines.
5. It has no fixed pattern of rhyme, rhythm or line length. — Free verse is 'free' from fixed rules; poets use line breaks for effect instead.
6. 3 — But-ter-fly has three beats.
7. leaves drift down to the still pond — Leaves-drift-down-to-the-still-pond = 7. 'A cold wind whispers through the pines' has 8.
8. Because its short, focused form makes readers slow down and notice one small moment — The haiku's brevity suits a quiet, focused image and creates a calm mood.