The Ball Poem - Extract Based Questions

The Ball Poem - Extract Based Questions

• Extract 1: The boy has lost his ball He's looking for it and sees it in the water. No use saying "there are other balls".
• Extract 1 (a): The boy has lost a possession he values greatly.
• Extract 1 (b): The poet emphasizes the uniqueness of this loss and its significance to the boy. Other balls are unimportant.
• Extract 1 (c): Merrily.
• Extract 1 (d): In the water.

Extract 2

• Extract 2 (a): The ball went into the harbour.
• Extract 2 (b): The loss has caused deep grief, rigidity, and an inability to move forward. The loss has affected the boy deeply.
• Extract 2 (c): The boy was trembling and staring down at the harbour because of the profound sadness of the loss.
• Extract 2 (d): The poet emphasizes the significant effect of a loss and the overwhelming immediate sadness for the loss. A first response to loss is to not be distracted by unimportant items or possessions.

Extract 3

• Extract 3 (a): The boy has understood the nature of possessions, and their inability to be returned or replaced.
• Extract 3 (b): Balls signify the importance of a possession, and the loss of that possession, which can be a valuable thing in life and in one's emotional development.
• Extract 3 (c): Possessions are things that have value and meaning to someone. In this case, the boy's possessions are emotionally charged.
• Extract 3 (d): The poet means that in a world where possessions are important, and can be lost, there are more important things to deal with. (The meaning and value of possessions)

Extract 4

• Extract 4 (a): The boy is learning about the profound and wide-ranging nature of loss; the process and stages of grief and acceptance. How to cope with loss. The epistemology of loss.
• Extract 4 (b): The boy's eyes are desperate because of his profound loss and sadness that surrounds his grief.
• Extract 4 (c): Epistemology of loss addresses how one learns about the pain and impact of losing something. The boy is struggling with these feelings.
• Extract 4 (d): Learning how to face and overcome the sadness and meaning of loss, and how to appreciate the value of possessions. Experiencing deep and painful loss, and how to handle loss.

Explore thought-provoking questions based on extracts from 'The Ball Poem'. This quiz delves into the themes of loss and emotional significance portrayed in the poem. Engage with each extract to uncover deeper meanings and insights.