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Junior Cycle English: Unseen poetry

How often Unseen poetry comes up on the English papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 6 of the last 8 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2026. most years

OL Asked on 7 of the last 8 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2026. most years

Unseen poetry, Higher Level(6 marks)

Quick ones on Unseen poetry.

(a)A poem has 14 lines and ends with a rhyming couplet. Which form is it most likely to be?
  1. A haiku
  2. A sonnet
  3. A limerick
(b)A three-line poem with 5, 7 and 5 syllables is called what?
  1. A ballad
  2. A sonnet
  3. A haiku
(c)A poem has no regular rhyme or rhythm. What is this called?
  1. Free verse
  2. A ballad
  3. Blank verse
Show the answers

(a) A sonnet

(b) A haiku

(c) Free verse

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Unseen poetry.

Higher Level

Asked on 6 of the last 8 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2026. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2026Q7
2025Q1, Q2
2024Not asked
2023Q3, Q4
2022Q4
2019Q1, Q2
2018Q9
2017Not asked

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Unseen poetry questions

Unseen poetry, 3 marks

An unseen poem is titled 'Last Swim of Summer'. Which theme does the title most likely hint at?

  1. War and violent conflict
  2. Greed and money
  3. Endings and change
Show the answer

Endings and change

Titles are clues. Last and the end of summer suggest endings, growing up or time passing. Always read the title closely before the poem.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 7 of the last 8 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2026. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2026Q7, Q8
2025Q4, Q5
2024Q8, Q9
2023Q1, Q2
2022Q12
2019Not asked
2018Q1, Q2, Q3
2017Q13, Q14

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Unseen poetry questions

Unseen poetry, 3 marks

A poem's lines end with: day, sun, play, fun. What is the rhyme scheme?

  1. AABB
  2. ABBA
  3. ABAB
Show the answer

ABAB

Give each new end sound a letter. Day is A and sun is B. Play rhymes with day (A) and fun with sun (B), giving ABAB.

Unseen poetry, 3 marks

'The empty swing creaks in the cold, grey park.' What mood is created?

  1. Angry and violent
  2. Lonely and sad
  3. Joyful and lively
Show the answer

Lonely and sad

An empty swing, the cold and the colour grey suggest absence and loneliness. Weather and colour words strongly shape a poem's mood.

Unseen poetry, 3 marks

'My heart leapt like a salmon from the stream.' How does the speaker feel?

  1. Joyful and excited
  2. Frightened and cold
  3. Tired and bored
Show the answer

Joyful and excited

A leaping salmon is full of energy and life, so the simile shows a sudden rush of joy or excitement.

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