1. Can you think of a childhood activity that you spent hours perfecting (riding a bike, flying a kite, etc.)?
2. Why do you think children love steep slides, high swings and adventure generally? 3. Do you think adults like these things too? Discuss.
COMPREHENDING AND RESPONDING
1. What month do you think this poem might be set in? Refer to lines 1–7 in support of your answer.
2. How does the poet show that he is even happier than the other children in lines 1–7?
3. How does the poet create a sense of speed and movement in lines 7–14? Refer closely to these lines in support of your answer.
4. What image of the evening do you form in your mind from reading these lines: ‘the stars,/ Eastward were sparkling clear, and in the west/ The orange sky of evening died away.’ Give as much detail in your answer as possible.
5. Why do you think the speaker ‘retires’ into a ‘silent bay’ (lines 23–24) from time to time?
6. There is a lot of vivid imagery in this poem. Which image is your favourite? Give reasons for your answer.
7. How would you describe the speaker’s mood throughout this poem? Support your answer with reference to the poem.
8. ‘The success of the poem “Skating” comes from the poet’s expert use of verbs to create movement and speed.’ Do you agree with this statement? Discuss your response with reference to the verbs Wordsworth uses in this poem.
9. Do you agree that Wordsworth’s love for nature is evident in this poem? Support your answer with reference to the poem.
10. ‘Skating’ and ‘The Stolen Boat’ record two incidents from Wordsworth’s childhood. What similarities and/or differences can you find between these poems? Support your answer with reference to the poems.
11. What theme or themes can you find in this poem? Refer to the poem in support of your answer.
CREATING
1. Write a descriptive essay about a great sporting moment you have experienced as a participant or as a spectator.
2. Write an article for a national newspaper in which you argue that children in Ireland today are micro-managed and over controlled, and persuade parents and caretakers to allow children to engage with nature and have adventures.
3. There is an international landscape competition you wish to enter. Your painting must be based on a scene from a Wordsworth poem. Write the letter you would compose to accompany your entry, explaining the poem you have chosen and the images you have portrayed in your painting.
