What time of year depicted in this poem?
Spring
Autumn
Winter
What are the three objects being carried by the group?
A guitar, a baby and a Chihuahua
A sprig of mistletoe, a balloon and a bell
A bunch of flowers, a bottle of wine and a toy car
What does the speaker compare the baby’s features to?
Christmas baubles
Favours on a cake
Twinkling lights
Which technique is employed in the line “Orphean sprig! Melting baby! Warm Chihuahua!”?
Repetition
Alliteration
Caesura
What idea is contained in the line “Whether Christ was born or not born”?
That the speaker is not religious
That the speaker thinks that we have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas
That we should not celebrate Christmas
Why does the speaker imagine that the “vale of tears” (life’s troubles) is rendered “powerless”?
Because faith and religion offer protection from sadness
Because shopping makes people happy
Because the group are protected by the warmth of their friendship
Which technique is employed in the line “laughter ringing round them like a guard”?
Simile
Metaphor
According to Greek mythology, what special power did Orpheus have?
He could bring objects to life through his music
He could turn objects into gold
He could bring the dead back to life
In which street in Glasgow did these events occur?
Sauchiehall street
Argyll Street
Buchanan Street
Which of these statements best describes the main idea explored in this poem?
That Christmas offers a time for redemption and new beginnings
That friendship and human bonds can provide just as much comfort and strength as any kind of organised religion
That those of us who do not have a faith are more likely to feel lonely and isolated