Edexcel GCSE English Literature

The Destruction of Sennacherib

Edexcel GCSE English Literature revision on The Destruction of Sennacherib. Aligned to the Edexcel GCSE English Literature 1ET0 specification. This bank has 15 practice questions on this topic.

About this topic

The Assyrian came down like the wolf on the fold, And his cohorts were gleaming in purple and gold; And the sheen of their spears was like stars on the sea, When the blue wave rolls nightly on deep Galilee. Like the leaves of the forest when Summer is green, That host with their banners at sunset were seen: Like the leaves of the forest when Autumn hath blown, That host on the morrow lay wither'd and strown. For the Angel of Death spread his wings on the blast, And breathed in the face of the foe as he pass'd; And the eyes of the sleepers wax'd deadly and chill, And their hearts but once heaved, and for ever grew still! And there lay the steed with his nostril all wide, But through it there roll'd not the breath of his pride; And the foam of his gasping lay white on the turf, And cold as the spray of the rock-beating surf. And there lay the rider distorted and pale, With the dew on his brow, and the rust on …

Sample questions (3 of 15)

  1. Question 1

    What literary technique is used in the phrase: 'The sheen of their spears was like stars on the sea'?

    • A) Metaphor
    • B) Simile
    • C) Hyperbole
    • D) Personification
    Show answer

    Answer: Simile

    A simile is a figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind, used to make a description more emphatic. Here, the comparison to stars on the sea emphasises the brightness and vastness of the Assyrian army.

  2. Question 2

    Which theme is most developed by the line: 'And the might of the Gentile, unsmote by the sword, Hath melted like snow in the glance of the Lord!'?

    • A) Divine power
    • B) Human ambition
    • C) Romantic love
    • D) Social class
    Show answer

    Answer: Divine power

    The poem focuses on the contrast between the arrogance of the Assyrian king and the overwhelming, effortless power of God. The imagery of melting like snow highlights that human weapons are insignificant compared to divine intervention.

  3. Question 3

    What does the line 'The widows of Ashur are loud in their wail' reveal about the impact of the battle?

    • A) The Assyrians are celebrating
    • B) The defeat has caused widespread grief
    • C) The soldiers are preparing for war
    • D) The king is indifferent to loss
    Show answer

    Answer: The defeat has caused widespread grief

    This line shifts the focus from the battlefield to the domestic aftermath, highlighting the sorrow left behind in the Assyrian capital. It serves to humanise the enemy and emphasise the finality of their defeat.

Want to test yourself on the remaining cards for this topic?

12 more questions on The Destruction of Sennacherib — plus mistakes tracking and spaced repetition across the whole English Literature spec.

Start a free session → Already have an account? Log in

More Edexcel English Literature topics