Skip to content
Oak National Academy
Oak National Academy
Teachers
Pupils
New
New
Year 5

Reading and responding to 'The Listeners' by Walter de la Mare

I can interpret the poem and answer questions about it.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils
New
New
Year 5

Reading and responding to 'The Listeners' by Walter de la Mare

I can interpret the poem and answer questions about it.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Walter de la Mare uses a range of poetic devices to create atmosphere in "The Listeners"
  2. Readers can interpret the poem in many different ways.
  3. Reading between the lines to search for clues can help to infer meaning.

Common misconception

Many readers might interpret the poem literally.

The listeners are non-human objects, described as phantoms by Walter de la Mare.

Keywords

  • Inference - Inference means to use clues from within the text to draw conclusions.

  • Interpretation - Interpretation refers to the process of understanding and assigning meaning to a poem, considering its language, imagery, and themes.

  • Imagery - Imagery involves the use of vivid and sensory language to create vivid mental pictures, enhancing the emotional impact of a poem.

Encourage pupils to provide their own interpretations of the sections of the poem to deepen understanding of the narrative. This will also allow them to understand that interpretation is unique and there is no single 'correct' answer.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Video

Skip video

Loading...

Starter quiz

Download starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
Which country was the poet Walter de la Mare from?
Ireland
Correct answer: England
France
Spain
Q2.
Select the examples of antiquated vocabulary found in 'The Listeners' by Walter de La Mere.
Correct answer: champed
munched
Correct answer: smote
knocked
Q3.
Walter de la Mare mentions a 'stirrup' in his poem. Select the correct definition of this word.
a leather harness used to lead a horse
Correct answer: a supportive metal or leather loop that hangs from a saddle for a rider's foot
a metal utensil used to stir ingredients when cooking
Q4.
Understanding the vocabulary used in a poem can support your overall comprehension of the poem.
Correct answer: True
False
Q5.
Select the strategies which could support reading a poem aloud.
Correct answer: knowing the atmosphere and emotions of the poem
speaking with a quiet voice
knowing very little about the poem or the language used
Correct answer: speaking with a clear voice and varying your volume
Q6.
In Walter de la Mare's poem 'The Listeners', what do the listeners do when the visitor arrives?
welcome him warmly
Correct answer: ignore him
ask him to leave
ask him to come back later

Exit quiz

Download exit quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the keyword with the correct definition.
Correct Answer:inference,means to use clues from within the text to draw conclusions

means to use clues from within the text to draw conclusions

Correct Answer:interpretation,refers to the process of understanding and assigning meaning

refers to the process of understanding and assigning meaning

Correct Answer:imagery,the use of vivid language to create clear mental pictures

the use of vivid language to create clear mental pictures

Q2.
There is only ever one way to interpret a poem.
True
Correct answer: False
Q3.
Which of the following are correct interpretations of 'The Listeners' by Walter de la Mare?
Correct answer: The Traveller arrives at night.
Correct answer: The Traveller knocks on the door.
Correct answer: The Traveller arrives on a horse.
The Travaller arrives at lunch time.
The Traveller is welcomed by the listeners.
Q4.
Match the description to the characters within the poem.
Correct Answer:The Traveller,“...stood perplexed and still”

“...stood perplexed and still”

Correct Answer:The Traveller's horse,“...cropping the dark turf”

“...cropping the dark turf”

Correct Answer:The listeners,“...dwelt in the lone house”

“...dwelt in the lone house”

Q5.
What kind of atmosphere does Walter de la Mare create using vocabulary within 'The Listeners'?
fun and exciting
Correct answer: mysterious and eerie
relaxed and calm
Q6.
What are the key unanswered question in 'The Listeners'?
Correct answer: why the listeners are not answering the door
Correct answer: who the Traveller is
the age of the house
the name of the horse
Correct answer: who the Listeners are

Additional material

Download additional material
We're sorry, but preview is not currently available. Download to see additional material.