BLOOD IRON – KCSE POETRY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

​Read the Oral Poem below then answer the questions that follow.

Blood iron and trumpets
Blood iron and trumpets
Forward we march
(Clothes fall on the way)
Blood iron and trumpets
We shall hack, kill and core
Blood iron and trumpets
Singers of the Datsun blue
Forward we drive breaking the records
Blood iron and trumpets
Let bullets find their targets and earth be softened
Blood iron and trumpets
Let the dogs of war rejoice
And the Carion birds feed
We are reducing population explosion
Blood iron and trumpets
The uniformed machines are around
Put on your helmet iron and vest
Blood iron and trumpets
Only through fire can be baptized to mean business
So once again,
Blood iron and trumpets
We shall always march along
Blood iron and trumpets
Blood iron and trumpets
Blood alone

QUESTIONS

1. Classify the oral piece above. (2 marks)
2. Give three functions of the oral piece above. (3 marks)
3. Identify two features of oral poetry evident in the oral item above. (4 marks)
4. Explain the two issues this oral poem is talking about. (2 marks)
5. Cite one social and one economic activity of the community from which this oral poem is taken. (4 marks)
6. Who would be the most suitable audience for the oral poem? Give reasons for your answer. (2 marks)
7. Why are the soldiers likened to machines. (1 mark)
8. Describe the mood of the poem. (2 marks)

MARKING SCHEME

• ​1. Classify the oral piece above. (2 marks)
  • War song.”‘let bullets find their targets”/ “forward we march”/  “others fall on the way” 
• 2.Give three functions of the oral piece above. (3 marks)
  • To instill courage and bravery.  To express solidarity/togetherness.  To express the exploits of the warriors.  To express the pride of the warriors. 
• 3.Identify two features of oral poetry evident in the oral item above. (4 marks)
  • -Repetition ” Blood iron and trumpets “. -Metaphor ”dogs of war” ”,uniformed machines”
  • -Hyperbole Uniformed machines. 
• 4.Explain the two issues this oral poem is talking about. (2 marks)
  • -Determination.  “We shall always march along.” 
  • -War.  “We shall hack, kill and core” 
  • -Victory over enemies.  “Forward we drive, breaking the records” 
• 5.Cite one social and one economic activity of the community from which this oral poem is taken. (4 marks) Singing, / warfare, suitable  illustration
  • Ironsmithing.  Helmet iron etc
• 6.Who would be the most suitable audience for the oral poem? Give reasons for your answer. (2 marks)
  • Fighters/raiders/soldiers/warriors. To instill courage and bravery as they prepare to go for war. 
• 7. Why are the soldiers likened to machines. (1 mark)
  • To bring out their ruthlessness/lack of compassion etc
• 8. Describe the mood of the poem. (2 marks)
  • Satirical.  It ridicules/satirizes/mocks war and how it leads to warmongers, senseless killings etc