1. Do you think you have to have a vocation to be a nurse or a doctor? 2. What does the expression ‘your health is your wealth’ mean? Do you agree?
COMPREHENDING AND RESPONDING
1. In line one, how do you think the poet feels when he learns of Felix Randal’s death? Explain your answer.
2. What image of Felix Randal do you form when you read line two? Explain your answer.
3. What kind of illnesses do you think Felix Randal suffered from, and how did they affect him (lines 3–4)?
4. In stanza two, Hopkins explains how he had tended to Felix Randal in his role as a priest. Do you think Hopkins feels that he was able to help him? Explain your answer.
5. Stanza three explains the emotional impact Felix Randal’s sickness and death had on Hopkins. What impact do you think this was?
6. support your answer.
7. Give reasons for your answer.
8. What is the main theme of this poem, in your opinion?
CREATING
1. college application system in Ireland. Write a proposal giving suggestions of improvements that could be made (for example, holding interviews to determine suitability for certain careers, writing a personal statement, getting credit or points for voluntary work).
2. Write a serious or light-hearted speech to be given at a school assembly in which you persuade your audience of the importance of participating in sports and
3. Write a blog entry about your experience of studying poetry in school. Give examples of poems you liked and/or disliked.