Observation

A good number of candidates attempted this question but could not grasp the demands of the question.

Candidates were expected to discuss the following points:

• The theme of resilience in human endeavours as exemplified by the birches.
• Explanation/ Definition of setting: rural/ pastoral/countryside.
• Birches are so resilient that even when weighed down by ice, they are found ‘trailing their leaves on the ground.
• Their resilience attracts the poet, especially in times of crises.
• Their ability to swing up and down inspires the poet to feel that he too can do away with his problems through a form of escapism, but not for long.

Candidates’ performance was fair.