Which assessment objective involves reading, responding to and showing understanding of poems?

• A. AO1: read, respond to and show understanding of poems
• B. AO2: analyse language, form and structure
• C. AO3: show awareness of context and its influence on meaning
• D. AO4: make connections and comparative analysis between poems

Answer: (A)

The main concept being tested is reading poems, responding to them, and showing understanding of their meaning. This is exactly what AO1 covers: engaging with the poem as a whole, grasping its ideas, mood, and message, and expressing a clear understanding of what it communicates. That’s why describing reading, responding to, and showing understanding aligns with the objective, making it the best choice. The other objectives focus on different elements: analysing language, form and structure; considering context and its influence on meaning; and making connections or comparing poems. While these are important skills, they address analysis, context, and cross-text comparison rather than the initial reading and personal understanding of a single poem.