“The White Crow – The Steward’s Tale”
Geoffrey Chaucer
Assessment
Reading and Writing – Instructions
En2 – Response to Reading. They will need:
•
•
•
the reading passage, “The White Crow”
the question paper
lined paper on which to answer
Time allowed: 50 minutes. Give the pupils ten minutes’ reading time first, with no answering
questions until this time has elapsed.
En3 – Writing Task. They will need:
•
•
•
the reading passage “The White Crow”
the task itself, with guidelines on the sheet
lined paper on which to answer
Time allowed: 45 minutes. Only 30 of this should be writing time if they have followed the advice
in the sheet but they should not be forced to do this.
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Page 1 of 11
“The White Crow – The Steward’s Tale”
Geoffrey Chaucer
Assessment
Reading Passage
This is one of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales told by the steward as the pilgrims make
their journey. Read it very carefully before answering the questions.
When Phoebus lived down here on earth, he was (as the old books tell us) the liveliest
young knight in the world, and the best archer too. He slew the serpent Python as he lay
sleeping in the sun. That was only one of his many splendid deeds. He could also play any
instrument and sing the loveliest melodies. Amphion, King of Thebes, whose singing raised
the city wall, could not match him as a singer. Phoebus was a man of great distinction,
the noblest, most handsome and honourable man since the world began.
5
Phoebus had in his house a crow, which he kept in a cage and taught to speak. It was as
white as a snow-white swan and could imitate anybody’s speech. No nightingale in the
world could sing a hundred thousandth part as sweetly.
Now Phoebus had a wife whom he loved more than life and did his best to please. But
he was very jealous and kept a close watch on her. He didn’t want to risk being made to
look a fool. We all feel like that – but what’s the use? There’s nothing you can do about it.
When you have a good wife, it’s a mistake to try and keep an eye on her all the time. A
strong instinct is not to be thwarted.
10
Take a bird, for example. Put it in a cage and do your best to foster it tenderly with
food and drink and every dainty you can think of. Though its cage is of the brightest gold,
yet it would twenty thousand times rather live in the cold wild forest and eat worms. All it
wants is liberty, and it will always try to escape if it can. Or take a cat. You may feed it
with milk and with juicy meat and give it a bed of silk. But once it sees a mouse run by the
wall, it forgets all that. All it can think of is eating the mouse. Instinct wins.
15
So it was that Phoebus, who had no guile in him, was in spite of all his fine qualities
deceived. His wife became infatuated with another man, who was quite worthless
compared with him. And this sort of situation always causes trouble. Once, when Phoebus
was out of the house, his wife sent for her fancy man – if you’ll forgive the expression. The
white crow in its cage saw them together and never said a word. But when Phoebus
came home, the crow sang, “Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Cuckoo!”
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Page 2 of 11
“The White Crow – The Steward’s Tale”
Geoffrey Chaucer
Assessment
Reading Passage (contd)
“Why, bird!” said Phoebus. “Whatever’s that song you’re singing? I’ve always enjoyed
your songs but this one is different!”
“But it suits the occasion,” said the crow. “Phoebus, in spite of all your distinction,
your grace and musicianship, your wife is deceiving you. You’ve been hoodwinked
by a nobody, a man no better than a gnat compared with you.” And the crow told him what
it had seen while he was away, and how shamelessly his wife had behaved.
Phoebus turned his head away, thinking his sorrowful heart would break in two. In his rage
he bent his bow, put an arrow to the string, and killed his wife – yes, killed her. Then,
suddenly horrified at what he had done, he broke his harp and lute, guitar and psaltery,
as well as his bow and arrows, and cried out to the crow, “Traitor with a scorpion tongue,
you have destroyed me. I wish I were dead. My dear wife, you were so faithful and true to
me. Now you lie dead, so pale of face, and innocent too – I swear you were innocent. Oh, I
was too hasty – I was mad to kill you! We should beware of hastiness and believe nothing
without a witness. Oh, I could kill myself for grief!” He looked at the crow and said
angrily, “I’ll punish you for this! There was a time when you could sing like the
nightingale; but you shall lose your song and all your white feathers too. Traitor! You and
your offspring will be black for ever! Never in all your life shall you speak again or make
sweet music. For ever after, when storm and rain are on the way, you will croak, because it
was your fault that my wife was killed.”
30
35
40
45
He sprang at the crow and pulled out all its white feathers. Then he made it black and took
away its song and flung it out of doors as a present to the devil. And that’s why all crows
are now black.
Gentlemen, don’t forget what I’ve told you. Never tell a man a tale you’ve heard against
his wife, or you will earn his mortal hatred. Whether or not there’s any truth in the
tale, keep your mouth shut. Remember the crow.
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Page 3 of 11
“The White Crow – The Steward’s Tale”
Geoffrey Chaucer
Assessment
En 2 – Response to Reading – Time allowed: 50 minutes
Read the passage very carefully and answer the following questions.
There are 15 questions in total. They do not become harder as you go through them.
The marks give an indication of how much to write.
Most answers can be given very briefly.
1.
From the list below, copy out two that you think are good examples of Phoebus’s “splendid
deeds.” (Lines 1 to 6)
A.
B.
C.
D.
He slew the serpent Python.
His singing raised the city wall.
He was the best archer.
He lived down here on earth.
(2 marks)
2.
Find one example of a simile from lines 1 to 9 and copy it out. (A simile is a comparison that
uses “like” or “as.”)
(1 mark)
3.
What point do you think the writer is making in this simile? (Clue: remember the ending.)
(1 mark)
4.
“We all feel like that – but what’s the use?” (Line 12). How does this sentence help the reader
to feel involved? In your answer you should consider:
•
•
the use of the word “we”
the effect of the question
(2 marks)
5.
Give two examples from the first five paragraphs that the storyteller gives of “instinct.” (2 marks)
6.
Suggest one reason that the storyteller is giving these examples of “instinct” in his story. Then
explain your reason clearly.
(2 marks)
7.
Copy out from the list below the two words that you think best describe Phoebus.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
8.
Boastful
Possessive
Selfish
Evil
Competitive
Talented
(2 marks)
The following sentences all appear in the story. In which one is the storyteller (the Steward)
giving his opinion, rather than telling the details of the story? Copy out the one you choose.
“Phoebus had in his house a crow which he kept in a cage and taught how to speak.” (Line 7)
“And this kind of situation always causes trouble.” (Line 23)
“He sprang at the crow and pulled out all its white feathers.” (Line 46)
“He slew the serpent Python as he lay sleeping in the sun.” (Line 2)
(1 mark)
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Page 4 of 11
“The White Crow – The Steward’s Tale”
Geoffrey Chaucer
Assessment
En 2 – Response to Reading (contd)
9.
The cuckoo has a reputation for taking over the nests that other birds have made and pushing
out the real owners. The crow sings “Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Cuckoo!” to Phoebus. (Line 26) What
does the crow mean when it says, “it suits the occasion”? Explain clearly.
(2 marks)
10. What is the reason for all the dashes and exclamation marks between lines 37 and 43? How do
they help the reader understand Phoebus’s mood?
(2 marks)
11. Why does the storyteller repeat “killed his wife – yes, killed her” at line 34?
(2 marks)
12. The whole story could be summarised by the seven sentences below. Put them in the order that
they appear in the story. For your answer, you need only write the letters next to each
sentence. (e.g. D-E-F-G-A-B-C.)
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
The crow reports to Phoebus what his wife has been doing.
There is a description of Phoebus’s feelings about his wife.
The steward tells his listeners to remember his story and learn a lesson from it.
There is a description of Phoebus’s fine character and his achievements.
The steward gives two examples of how instinct always triumphs.
Phoebus kills his wife in anger but then regrets it and takes revenge on the crow.
Phoebus’s wife is unfaithful and the crow is a witness.
(3 marks)
13. At which point in the story do you begin to feel that it will not end happily? Give a word or
phrase used in the story that makes you feel this. Explain your answer clearly.
(3 marks)
Before answering the last two questions, read this carefully.
Chaucer invented lots of people and then made up stories for them to tell. The people that he invented
are a mixture of pleasant and unpleasant. Chaucer says that the Steward is “crafty” and “sly.”
14. Which of these do you think is the Steward’s main message in his story? Copy out the one
that you choose.
A. It says that honesty is not always the best policy and it is often better to keep things to
yourself.
B. It tells why crows became black and why they croak.
C. It warns that if you are going to deceive someone, you should be very careful about the
arrangements.
D. It tries to teach that you should think before you do something that you might regret later.
E. It wants all caged animals to be freed.
(2 marks)
15. Do you think that the Steward wants us to feel sorry for anyone at the end? If so, who? Pick
just one of them and give your reasons clearly.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Phoebus?
Phoebus’s wife?
The crow?
All of them?
None of them?
(3 marks)
Total – 30 marks
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Page 5 of 11
“The White Crow – The Steward’s Tale”
Geoffrey Chaucer
Assessment
EN2 – Response to Reading – Mark Scheme
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
THE FIVE FOCUSES
Understand, describe or retrieve information, events or ideas from texts and use
quotation and reference.
Deduce, infer or interpret information, events or ideas from texts.
Comment on the writer’s use of language, including grammatical and literary features at
word and sentence level.
Comment on the structure and organisation of texts, including grammatical and
presentational features at text level.
Identify and comment on writers’ purposes and viewpoints, and the effect of the text on
the reader.
Question 1. Focus 1
Answer =
A. He slew the serpent Python.
B. He was the best archer.
1 mark for each (out of 2)
Question 2. Focus 3
Answer =
It was as white as a snow-white swan.
1 mark
Question 3. Focus 3
Answer =
How very white it once was: now it is black.
1 mark
Question 4. Focus 3
Answer =
i) The use of “we” = all people/ all readers.
ii) The use of the (rhetorical) question appeals directly to readers.
1 mark for each (out of 2)
Question 5. Focus 1
Answer =
i) Caged bird would rather be free/wild.
ii) Cat will run after a mouse.
1 mark for each (out of 2)
Question 6. Focus 2
Answer =
i) They are illustrations/examples/support for what he is saying.
ii) Just like Phoebus’s wife/treated well but is always watched/wants to be
unfaithful.
1 mark for each (out of 2)
Question 7. Focus 2
Answer =
B. Possessive
F. Talented
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1 mark for each (out of 2)
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“The White Crow – The Steward’s Tale”
Geoffrey Chaucer
Assessment
EN2 – Response to Reading – Mark Scheme (contd)
Question 8. Focus 5
Answer =
B. “And this kind of situation always causes trouble.”
1 mark
Question 9. Focus 2
Answer =
i) It is just like what is happening/matches the events/ suitable or appropriate.
ii) Phoebus is the “cuckoo” pushed from nest/ pushed aside for another man.
1 mark for each (out of 2)
Question 10. Focus 4
Answer =
i) Broken/very short/fragmented/exclaimed/gasped/shouted/cried out
ii) Shows how angry/upset/lacking control Phoebus is 1 mark for each (out of 2)
Question 11. Focus 3
Answer =
i) Emphasis/stress/attention
ii) Of the horror/drama/tragedy/murder/killing taking place
1 mark for each (out of 2)
Question 12. Focus 4
Answer =
D….B….E….G….A….F….C
3 marks for perfect
2 marks for 2 wrong
1 mark for 2 correct (out of 3)
Question 13. Focus 5
Answer =
i) When storyteller starts telling of Phoebus’s jealousy.
ii) “a mistake”/ “but”/”what’s the use?”/“there’s nothing you can do.”
iii) Warning/threatening/ominous/bad feeling/worrying
1 mark for each (out of 3)
Question 14. Focus 5
Answer =
A. Honesty is not always the best policy and it is often better to keep things to
yourself.
2 marks
Question 15. Focus 5
Answer =
i) None of them
ii) All at fault /all behaved badly/all did something wrong
iii) Phoebus is a murderer/ wife is unfaithful/crow tormented Phoebus
1 mark for each (out of 3)
Total marks = 30
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Page 7 of 11
“The White Crow – The Steward’s Tale”
Geoffrey Chaucer
Assessment
En 3 – Writing Task – Time allowed: 45 minutes
•
•
•
•
•
•
This paper is 45 minutes long and will be marked out of 30.
You have 15 minutes for planning and 30 minutes for writing.
Use the planning grid on this sheet to plan your work.
The planning will not be assessed.
Check through all of your work carefully before handing in your work to the
teacher.
You may have the story of “The White Crow” on your desk if you wish to re-read
it.
A short video has been made of “the White Crow.” It uses actors and actresses to play the
parts and covers the whole story. It shows Phoebus killing his wife and being cruel to the
crow.
Your headteacher has banned this video from being shown to Year 7 pupils because he says
that it is too violent and nasty.
TASK: Write a letter to your headteacher, persuading him that Year 7 pupils should
be allowed to watch this video.
USE THESE GUIDELINES TO PLAN YOUR WORK FOR 15 MINUTES.
THEN WRITE YOUR LETTER PROPERLY ON CLEAN PAPER
Try to write FIVE different reasons that Year 7 pupils should be allowed to watch the video.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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Page 8 of 11
“The White Crow – The Steward’s Tale”
Geoffrey Chaucer
Assessment
En3 – Writing Task (contd)
A strong opening sentence to your letter
Good words and phrases to help you persuade the headteacher
A strong final sentence to your letter
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Page 9 of 11
“The White Crow – The Steward’s Tale”
Geoffrey Chaucer
Assessment
EN3 – Writing Task – Mark Scheme
•
•
•
This writing task will be marked out of 30 marks.
It is loosely based on the mark scheme being used for KS3 SATs assessments (May 2003/4.)
QCA mark schemes no longer use National Curriculum levels but there are some below
(guesswork) as a guide.
There are THREE elements to the marking:
1.
2.
3.
Sentence structure and punctuation – out of 8.
Text structure and organisation – out of 8.
Composition and effect – out of 14.
1. Sentence structure and punctuation
8 marks – outstanding. (Level 7) There is a very wide range of sentence types and a variety in
their construction. A full range of punctuation is used very accurately.
7 marks – extremely good. (Mid/High Level 6.) Sentences are varied and appropriate.
Punctuation is very accurate.
5/6 marks – above average. (High 5/Low 6.) There is some variety of sentence types and
punctuation is clear and mostly accurate.
4 marks – average. (Mid/Low 5.) Sentences are pedestrian though clear and punctuation is
usually in place.
2/3 marks – (Level 4.) Sentences are unvaried with some lack of clarity and punctuation is flawed.
0/1 mark – (Level 3 and below.) Sentences simple and/or unclear. Little/no attempt to use
punctuation.
2. Text structure and organisation
8 marks – outstanding. (Level 7.) Paragraphs organised and coherent, sequenced for best effect.
7 marks – extremely good. (Mid/High Level 6.) Variety of devices used to help sequence and
cohesion. Paragraphs clearly in place and thoughtful.
5/6 marks – above average. (High 5/Low 6) There are clear paragraphs of reasonable/varied
length with some effort to move sensibly through them and between them.
4 marks – average. (Mid/Low 5.) There is some attempt at paragraphing and some attempt to
develop detail within paragraphs.
2/3 marks – (Level 4.) No or accidental paragraphs. Little sensible development /might be some
simple grouping of ideas.
0/1 mark – (Level 3 and below.) No paragraphs, no development, no simple grouping of ideas.
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“The White Crow – The Steward’s Tale”
Geoffrey Chaucer
Assessment
EN3 – Writing Task – Mark Scheme (contd)
3. Composition and effect
13/14 marks – outstanding. (Level 7.) Control and skill. Very persuasive in sustained way.
Sophisticated selection of ideas. Clearly constructed letter.
10/11/12 marks – good to extremely good. (Mid/high Level 6.) Good evidence of persuasive
devices, deliberately chosen and effective. Good range of ideas. Purpose, letter form, sense of
audience have all been thought about well.
7/8/9 marks – above average. (High 5/Low 6.) Attempts to persuade with some precise
details/evidence/support for points made. Attempts to be a formal letter.
4/5/6 marks – average. (Mid/Low 5) Tries to match contents to purpose and audience. Some
sense of its being a formal letter with two/three ideas presented.
2/3 marks – (Level 4.) Only one or two ideas, little sense of its being a formal letter. Little of
persuasiveness.
0/1 mark – (Level 3 and below.) Little understanding of letter form/ audience/ purpose.
Overall
0 to 3 marks
Level 3 and below
4/5 marks
Low 4
6/7 marks
Mid 4
8/9 marks
High 4
10/11/12 marks
Low 5
13/14 marks
Mid 5
15/16/17 marks
High 5
18/19/20 marks
Low 6
21/22/23 marks
Mid 6
24/25/26 marks
High 6
27/28 marks
Low 7
29 marks
Mid 7
30 marks
High 7
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