The Road Not Taken – Teacher Answers

1. Warm-up: answers will vary.
2. Vocabulary: 1-b, 2-d, 3-c, 4-f, 5-a, 6-e.
3. Comprehension: 1) At a fork where two roads diverge in a yellow wood. 2) He is one traveller and must choose one route. 3) It appears grassy and seems to need more wear. 4) The roads were worn “really about the same” and lay equally beneath the leaves. 5) One choice leads to another, so returning may be unlikely. 6) They may represent important choices or different directions in life.
4. Poetic techniques: 1-b imagery, 2-a metaphor, 3-c repetition, 4-d alliteration.
5. Past tense: 1) stood 2) looked 3) took 4) lay.
6. Discussion: answers will vary. Strong responses should quote or refer to the poem. Accept satisfied, regretful or uncertain when supported with evidence.
7. Choice Map and writing: answers will vary. Look for clear consequences, organised ideas and appropriate vocabulary.

Puzzle/Game: answers will vary. Encourage students to explain both benefits and risks before choosing.

Success criteria: this is a student self-check.

Teacher note: Avoid teaching the poem only as praise for being different. The speaker initially says that the roads were “really about the same”. The ending can be read in several ways: satisfaction, regret, uncertainty, or a reflection on how people reshape memories of their choices.