Section ⅠWarming Up & Reading - Pre­reading

　　A FEW SIMPLE FORMS OF ENGLISH POEMS

　　There are various reasons why people write poetry①. Some poems tell a story or describe something in a way that will give the reader a strong impression②. Others try to convey③ certain emotions④. Poets use many different forms of poetry to express themselves. In this text, however, we will look at a few of the simpler forms.

　　Some of the first poetry a young child learns in English⑤ is nursery rhymes⑥. These rhymes like the one on the right (A) are still a common type of children's poetry. The language is concrete⑦ but imaginative, and they delight small children because they rhyme, have strong rhythm and a lot of repetition⑧. The poems may not make sense and even seem contradictory⑨， but they are easy to learn and recite. By playing with the words in nursery rhymes, children learn about language.

　　A

　　Hush\s\up1(10(10)， little baby, don't say a word，

　　Papa's going to buy you a mockingbird⑪.

　　If that mockingbird won't sing，

　　Papa's going to buy you a diamond⑫ ring.

　　If that diamond ring turns to⑬ brass⑭，

　　Papa's going to buy you a looking­glass.

　　If that looking­glass gets broke，

　　Papa's going to buy you a billy­goat⑮.

　　If that billy­goat runs away⑯，

　　Papa's going to buy you another today.

　　Some simple poems are like B and C that list things. List poems have a flexible⑰ line length and repeated phrases which give both a pattern⑱ and a rhythm to the poem. Some rhyme (like B) while others do not (like C)⑲.

　　B

　　I saw a fish­pond all on fire⑳

　　I saw a fish­pond all on fire\s\up1(21(21)，

I saw a house bow to\s\up1(22(22) a squire\s\up1(23(23)，