Who's for the Game? by Jessie Pope

What is the main purpose of this poem?

• To criticize those who join the military

• To persuade young men to enlist in the war

• To describe the peaceful nature of war

• To highlight the horrors of combat

Answer explanation

The poem uses energetic and persuasive language to encourage young men to join the war, presenting it as an exciting and heroic endeavor. The speaker urges the audience to participate rather than "sit tight" and watch from the sidelines.

Which literary device is predominantly used throughout the poem through the repeated use of "Who"?

• Metaphor

• Simile

• Anaphora

• Alliteration

Answer explanation

Anaphora is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive lines. In this poem, "Who" is repeatedly used to engage the reader and emphasize the speaker's call to action.

How does the speaker characterize war at the beginning of the poem?

• As a solemn duty

• As a dangerous mission

• As an exciting game

• As a tragic event

Answer explanation

The poem refers to war as "the biggest that’s played" and uses language related to sports ("grip and tackle"), portraying war as a thrilling and competitive event rather than a dangerous or tragic reality.

What does the phrase "sit tight" in the first stanza suggest about some potential soldiers?

• They are eager to fight

• They are physically prepared

• They are hesitant to join

• They are already enlisted

Answer explanation

The phrase "sit tight" implies passivity and reluctance, contrasting with the speaker’s encouragement to take action and enlist.

The line "Who wants a seat in the stand?" implies that some people:

• Prefer to watch rather than participate

• Need to rest during battle

• Are injured in combat

• Support the troops from home

Answer explanation

The phrase compares war to a spectator sport, suggesting that some individuals would rather observe from a distance than actively engage.

What tone does the speaker use when referring to potential injuries ("come back with a crutch")?

• Serious and cautionary

• Light and dismissive

• Deeply sorrowful

• Angry and bitter

Answer explanation

The phrase downplays the seriousness of injury, making it seem like a minor inconvenience rather than a severe consequence of war.

The speaker's attitude toward those who don't want to fight can best be described as:

• Understanding

• Condemning

• Sympathetic

• Indifferent

Answer explanation

The poem implies that those who do not fight are cowardly or unpatriotic, reinforcing a sense of obligation and peer pressure.

What is suggested by the line "But you'll come on all right"?

• The speaker is uncertain about victory

• The speaker is confident in recruitment

• The speaker is worried about casualties

• The speaker is planning strategy

Answer explanation

This line reassures hesitant individuals that they will ultimately choose to enlist, reinforcing the poem’s persuasive and motivational tone.