Carpet-weavers, Morocco – Carol Rumens

True or false?

• AIt is a cultural tradition passed down through generations
• BIt involves children as part of the workforce
• CIt is a solitary activity performed in isolation
• DIt is a form of child labour
• EIt is a modern industrial process

• The description of the carpet-weaving process
• The focus on the child weavers
• The wider context of the tradition
• The implication of exploitation

• AIt celebrates the skill of the weavers without any criticism
• BIt highlights the beauty of the carpets while ignoring the workers
• CIt contrasts the cultural heritage with the exploitation of child labour
• DIt suggests that the tradition should be abolished

True or false?

• AAdmiring of their skill but critical of the conditions
• BEntirely celebratory of the tradition
• CDismissive of their craft
• DIndifferent to their plight

• AImagery of the weaving process
• BDirect address to the reader
• CRepetition of key phrases
• DMetaphors of entrapment
• ERhyming couplets

• Identify the key words in the question
• Select relevant quotations and details
• Analyse the writer's methods and their effects
• Write a conclusion linking to the question

• AChildren
• BSoldiers
• CTourists
• DMerchants

• AChild labour
• BEnvironmental destruction
• CUnrequited love
• DThe power of oral tradition

• AChild labour
• BCultural tradition
• CExploitation
• DRomantic love
• EEnvironmental destruction

True or false?

• AIt presents the craft as a harmless cultural practice with no suggestion of exploitation
• BIt uses the craft to criticise the exploitation of children within a cultural tradition
• CIt celebrates the economic benefits of the craft for the weavers
• DIt argues that the craft should be abandoned in favour of modern industry

• AThe skill and artistry of the weavers
• BThe involvement of children in the work
• CThe economic value of the carpets
• DThe religious significance of the craft

• AIt is a cultural tradition
• BIt involves child labour
• CIt is a form of exploitation
• DIt is a purely positive tradition
• EIt is a modern industrial practice

True or false?

• ACultural tradition always protects children from harm
• BCultural tradition can be a context in which child labour occurs
• CChild labour is unrelated to cultural tradition
• DCultural tradition is irrelevant to the poem's message

• ATradition and child labour are presented as separate, unrelated aspects of Moroccan life.
• BThe tradition itself is shown to be the means through which children are drawn into labour.
• CChild labour is presented as a modern invention that has replaced the traditional craft.
• DThe poem suggests that the tradition protects children from exploitation.

• AThe poem is set in a different country from the one the student names.
• BThe poem is written in free verse, which makes celebration impossible.
• CThe poem presents the tradition as involving children, which introduces the issue of exploitation.
• DThe poem does not mention carpet-weaving at all.

• AThe poem uses the craft of carpet-weaving to explore how a cultural tradition can involve the exploitation of children.
• BThe poem argues that carpet-weaving should be abandoned in favour of modern industry.
• CThe poem is primarily a travel description with no social commentary.
• DThe poem focuses on the experience of adult male weavers only.

• AChild labour within a cultural tradition
• BThe relationship between tradition and exploitation
• CThe industrialisation of Morocco in the twenty-first century
• DThe experience of children within a craft passed down through generations
• EThe superiority of Western attitudes to work

• Underline the key words in the question to establish your focus.
• Decide on a clear argument about how Rumens presents the tradition and the children within it.
• Select two or three moments from the poem that best support your argument.
• Analyse Rumens' methods in those moments and their effects.
• Write a concise conclusion that returns to the question.

• AIt identifies the poem's theme rather than the writer's methods and their effects.
• BIt focuses on the question's key words too closely.
• CIt refers to the poem rather than the anthology as a whole.
• DIt uses the poet's name rather than the word 'speaker'.

• AAnswer both of the questions set on the studied cluster.
• BAnswer one question from a choice of two on the studied cluster, with the poem printed in the paper.
• CAnswer an unseen poem question with no text provided.
• DAnswer one question from Section B only.

True or false?

• AThe tradition is valued as part of Moroccan cultural identity.
• BThe tradition involves children, which introduces ideas about exploitation.
• CThe poem argues that all traditions should be abolished.
• DThe poem suggests that cultural practices can carry hidden social costs.
• EThe poem is written in a fixed sonnet form.

• ADismissive and mocking
• BSympathetic but alert to the exploitation within the tradition
• CEntirely uncritical and celebratory
• DIndifferent and detached

• AIt celebrates the skill and artistry of the children without any suggestion of hardship.
• BIt highlights the contrast between the beauty of the craft and the exploitation of child labour.
• CIt suggests that the children are willingly participating in a harmless family activity.
• DIt focuses on the economic benefits of the carpet industry for the local community.

• ASimile, to compare the weavers to machines.
• BMetaphor, to suggest the carpets are like living creatures.
• CAlliteration, to mimic the repetitive sound of weaving.
• DPersonification, to give the carpets human qualities.

'Carpet-weavers, Morocco' explores ____ ____ by depicting a cultural tradition: carpet-weaving in Morocco.

The poem is set in ____, where carpet-weaving is a traditional craft.

In 'Carpet-weavers, Morocco', Carol Rumens uses a traditional craft to explore the issue of ____, which the poem associates with the exploitation of the young.

Alongside child labour, 'Carpet-weavers, Morocco' contributes to the anthology's key theme of individual and ____ identity, since it shows powerless individuals within a cultural tradition.

Carol Rumens' 'Carpet-weavers, Morocco' is studied as part of the cluster of ____ poems from the Songs of Ourselves Volume 1 anthology that is assessed in Paper 1, Section A.

A strong response to the poetry question should begin with a brief ____, develop at least three analytical ____, and end with a concise ____. It should also show a sustained personal and evaluative ____ with the poem.

In Songs of Ourselves Volume 1, 'Carpet-weavers, Morocco' is grouped with other poems that explore individual and cultural ____, including Sujata Bhatt's 'A Different History' and William Blake's 'The Chimney-Sweeper'.