GAMSAT Section 1 Sample Poetry Questions Unit 1

Please read this blog beforehand to learn how to analyse GAMSAT poetry:

GAMSAT Section 1: How To Analyse GAMSAT Poetry

No labor-saving machine,

Nor discovery have I made,

Nor will I be able to leave behind me any wealthy bequest to

found a hospital or library,

Nor reminiscence of any deed of courage for America,

Nor literary success nor intellect, nor book for the book-shelf,

But a few carols vibrating through the air I leave,

For comrades and lovers.

No Labor Saving Machine by Walt Whitman

1. Why would critics consider his poem as ironic?

1. The poem portrays literature as insignificant and unworthy of praise 
2. The poet doesn’t like wealthy people 
3. The poet can be seen as disingenuous as he has had a profound impact on literature 
4. He is too harsh on himself 

2. This poem is an expression of: 

1. Insignificance 
2. Lack of self-worth 
3. Regret
4. Resentment 

3. What does the poet imply about his legacy? 

1. His works will be forgotten in the next generation 
2. His legacy is nothing noteworthy but will still leave an impact on some individuals
3. His lasting impact on labour-saving devices 
4. His precision in impacting his comrades and lovers

Worked Answers

1. C

Whitman shows great humility in his poem by suggesting he has left nothing in the world of note. He saw his legacy as a ripple in the zeitgeist (spirits of the time) when he states ‘a few carols vibrating through the air’. It is only years after his death in which we see his lasting impact. He is now seen as a venerable poet of America and many of his poems are studied today. A critic of his poem might think that he was only pretending to be humble. 

2. A

The majority of the poem centres around the poet’s feeling of insignificance as they have made no significant innovations ‘no labor-saving machine’, no discoveries, no donations nor courageous deed for America. D (resentment) is incorrect as there is no hatred towards others nor is there a sense of regret or lack of self-worth.

3. B

The last line of the poem ‘A few carols vibrating through the air I leave, for comrades and lovers’ suggest that the poet thinks that he may not have a large impact on the world. However, he thinks he will be able to leave at least a few ‘carols’ for his loved ones.

Further Explanation

Plain language line-by-line explanation

• I’m not a very useful thing that has saved you time (eg: washing machine or dryer) 
• I have not made a discovery 
• I am not leaving behind any wealthy donations to a hospital or library 
• I haven’t done anything courageous for America/fought for America 
• I haven’t been a great writer of the times, not have I written a book that is worthy
• But I leave a few poems/songs that still echoes even after his death for my friends and loved ones. Even in death he has left behind stories that travel through history for those that he loves. 

Tone: Self-deprecating/humility → critic might see this as partially disingenuous → pride in having left something of worth to his comrades and lovers

---

Need GAMSAT Study Material?