The Photo

What is the main theme explored in the poem?

• The excitement of a new holiday destination

• Family relationships and memories

• The importance of fashion

• The dangers of the beach

Which motif is repeated in the poem to emphasise the narrator’s feelings?

• The sound of waves

• The act of kissing

• The colour of the water

• The taste of ice cream

What does the photo symbolise for the narrator?

• A reminder of a lost holiday

• Proof of their family’s happiness and closeness

• Evidence of a family argument

• A fashion statement

How does the narrator feel about their parents’ closeness in the photo?

• Embarrassed and uncomfortable

• Surprised and observant

• Angry and resentful

• Indifferent

What does Desiree’s pose in the photo suggest about her character at that moment?

• She is shy and withdrawn

• She is proud and confident

• She is angry and upset

• She is confused

What is the significance of the narrator counting the number of kisses between Mum and Dad?

• It shows the narrator is bored

• It highlights the narrator’s longing for family unity

• It is a way to pass time

• It is a competition

What can be inferred about the current state of the narrator’s family?

• The family is still as close as ever

• The family has changed or grown apart since the photo

• The family goes on holidays every year

• The family is planning another beach trip

Which image from the poem best represents nostalgia?

• Desiree talking to boys

• The photo kept in the narrator’s wallet

• Kicking the ball for the return of the waves

• Mum and Dad lying on the sand

What does the act of kicking the ball towards Mum and Dad symbolise?

• The narrator’s desire for attention and connection

• The narrator’s love for sports

• The narrator’s anger at their parents

• The narrator’s boredom

Why does the narrator mention that they had “never seen them stand that close”?

• To show surprise at their parents’ affection

• To criticise their parents

• To highlight a family argument

• To describe the weather