Primary 4 Literature Third Term Exam Questions and Answers

OBJECTIVE SECTION

Fill in the Gaps (Poem: My Mother)

Original lines (from the classic poem by Ann Taylor):

“Who sat and watched my infant bed,
When sleeping on my cradle bed,
And tears of sweet affection shed at night?”

Completed Poem Fill-in-the-Gaps:

• Who sat and watched my infant bed

• When sleeping on my cradle bed

• And tears of sweet affection shed at night

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

1. How many stanzas are there in the above poem?

   • Answer: Four

   • Explanation: The sample poem “A Mother’s Love” contains four stanzas, each with four lines.

2. What type of tears did she shed?

   • Answer: Tears of pure affection

   • Explanation: The poem shows that the mother was loving and emotional, shedding tears of love and concern.

3. Who was watching the baby?

   • Answer: The mother

   • Explanation: The poem is a tribute to a mother’s love and care, especially when the child is still a baby.

THEORY SECTION

Title: Five Poems

These are creative titles that can be used for primary-level literature or poetry assignments:

• (a) Whispering Winds

• (b) Silent Echoes

• (c) Dancing Shadows

• (d) Eternal Melodies

• (e) Nature’s Symphony

Write Out Any One Poem

Sample Poem: “Whispering Winds”
(Can be memorized or recited in class)

Whispering winds through the ancient trees,
Carrying secrets on the gentle breeze.
They tell tales of love and of loss,
Of dreams fulfilled and aching hearts’ toss.

In nature’s embrace, they softly sigh,
A symphony of whispers floating high.
Their murmurs touch the deepest soul,
Filling the air with stories untold.

Listen closely to their mystical voice,
Let their wisdom be your guiding choice.
For in their whispers, truth may be found,
A sacred language, forever profound.

Teacher’s Guide / Learning Purpose

This Literature exam tests:

• Poetry comprehension (identifying tone, message, and characters)

• Language and vocabulary development

• Memory and recitation

• Creative expression (writing and understanding poetry)

THIRD TERM PROMOTIONAL EXAMINATION: PRIMARY 4 – LITERATURE

(Explained with real-life classroom insight)

As someone who has taught Primary 4 Literature for years, I’ve learned that poetry isn’t just about rhyme—it’s a window into emotions, relationships, and values we hold dear, especially in our African culture where storytelling is an art passed through generations.

I remember once asking my pupils in Lagos to recite “My Mother”. One young girl raised her hand and said, “This poem reminds me of how my mother used to sing to me when I had malaria at night.” That moment stuck with me. It showed me that even the simplest lines from a poem could unlock a memory, a feeling, or a powerful connection to real life.

Let me walk you through this particular exam and break it down for easier understanding—just the way I would in class when preparing my pupils for promotional tests.

OBJECTIVE SECTION – Fill in the Gaps (Poem: My Mother)

Original Poem Lines (Ann Taylor’s classic):

Who sat and watched my infant bed,
When sleeping on my cradle bed,
And tears of sweet affection shed at night?

Correct Answers with Explanation:

• Who sat and watched my infant bed

• When sleeping on my cradle bed

• And tears of sweet affection shed at night

Real-Life Tip:
During revision, I sometimes act this out in class. I take a chair, pretend to rock a baby, and the pupils start to visualize it. That way, the learning sticks. When they can imagine the scene, they remember the lines.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS – Simplified

1. How many stanzas are there in the poem?

   • Answer: Four

   • Why? The poem “A Mother’s Love” we used here has four stanzas, each exploring different aspects of a mother’s care—something many Nigerian pupils can relate to from their own homes.

2. What kind of tears did the mother shed?

   • Answer: Tears of pure affection

   • Real-life link: When I asked this in class once, a pupil said, “Like when mummy cried because she was proud of me.” That’s exactly it—tears from the heart.

3. Who was watching the baby?

   • Answer: The mother

   • A mother’s protective instinct is a theme across cultures, but especially strong in Nigerian homes.

THEORY SECTION – Creative and Expressive

Titles of Five Poems (Encourage Creativity):

When I ask pupils to come up with titles, they often draw from nature or family. Here are a few that inspired wonderful classroom poems:

• Whispering Winds

• Silent Echoes

• Dancing Shadows

• Eternal Melodies

• Nature’s Symphony

I remember a boy named Ayomide who titled his poem “Storm in My Mind”. It wasn’t just impressive—it was honest, showing how pupils see poetry as a tool for self-expression.

Sample Poem for Memorization or Writing Practice

(Write or recite this in class for rhythm and interpretation exercises)

Title: “Whispering Winds”

Whispering winds through the ancient trees,
Carrying secrets on the gentle breeze.
They tell tales of love and of loss,
Of dreams fulfilled and aching hearts’ toss.

In nature’s embrace, they softly sigh,
A symphony of whispers floating high.
Their murmurs touch the deepest soul,
Filling the air with stories untold.

Listen closely to their mystical voice,
Let their wisdom be your guiding choice.
For in their whispers, truth may be found,
A sacred language, forever profound.

Why This Matters in Your Classroom

Literature helps our pupils:

• Improve memory (through poem recitation)

• Understand emotions and family roles

• Build vocabulary and structure

• Discover their voice in creative writing

And it also prepares them for life—not just exams.