More Poetry Practice

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1 POETRY TERMS YOU SHOULD KNOW Alliteration Repetition of initial consonant sounds. Example: Sarah Smith sat on the sand. Hyperbole Exaggerated speech. Example: I could eat a horse! Imagery Language that evokes sensory images. Example: Flying through a velvet sky. (Sense of touch.) Metaphor A comparison which does not use the word like or as. Example: She has a heart of gold. Onomatopoeia A word which imitates the sound it represents. Example: The cat gave a loud meow. Personification Language that gives human qualities or characteristics to things or animals. Example: Time is the thief of youth. Simile A comparison using like or as. Example: He was as hungry as a horse, so he ate like a pig. Symbol Language which represents something other than its literal meaning. Example: I am anchored in my career. (Anchor is a symbol for stability.) Empey-Hemming Educational Centre Page 1

2 THE APPEAL Rudyard Kipling If I have given you delight By aught that I have done, Let me lie quiet in that night Which shall be yours anon: 4 And for the little, little, span The dead are borne in mind, Seek not to question other than The books I leave behind The word night in line 3 probably symbolizes: (a) darkness (b) night-time (c) sleep (d) death (e) coma 2. The word anon in line 4 probably means: (a) anonymous (b) never (c) soon (d) none (e) daily 3. The narrator would most likely DISAGREE that: (a) reading an author s books is the best way to understand him (b) the living do not often think about the dead (c) books can give people delight (d) the person he is addressing will likely die soon (e) it is important to research an author before you read his books 4. The word aught in line 2 most likely means: (a) anything (b) nothing (c) should (d) beauty (e) quiet Empey-Hemming Educational Centre Page 2

3 5. The narrator s purpose in this poem is to: (a) describe the best way to get a good night s sleep (b) encourage readers to learn more about him (c) spread delight among his readers (d) explain how the dead can be reborn (e) ask readers to let him rest in peace 6. It can be inferred from the passage that the narrator: (a) will take a trip soon (b) is being interrogated (c) has insomnia (d) has forgotten his books (e) is dead THE ROAD NOT TAKEN Robert Frost Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; 5 Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, 10 And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. 15 I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. 16 Empey-Hemming Educational Centre Page 3

4 7. The author chose the road he did because: (a) it looked like the easier path (b) it was more popular (c) he knew it was safe (d) fewer people had taken it (e) it was a shortcut 8. The author would most likely agree that: (a) it is important for roads to be kept clear for travellers (b) it s fun to walk through fallen leaves (c) a grassy path is easier to walk on than a gravel path (d) it doesn t matter which path you take in life (e) the choices you make determine the course of your life 9. It can be inferred that the poem takes place on: (a) a spring morning (b) a summer day (c) an autumn morning (d) an early afternoon in winter (e) a fall evening 10. The word undergrowth in line 5 most closely means: (a) underground roots (b) small plants growing under trees (c) low flowering shrubs (d) roses growing on a trellis (e) grape vines 11. The author mentions all of the following EXCEPT: (a) fallen leaves (b) a forest (c) a grassy field (d) small forest plants (e) two roads 12. The author said I doubted if I should ever come back (line 15) because: (a) he felt the location was too dangerous (b) he was satisfied with the choice he had made (c) he knew that life rarely presents the same possibilities twice (d) he didn t feel it was wise to return to the woods (e) he knew he would be too old by the time he had the chance to return Empey-Hemming Educational Centre Page 4

5 13. The word hence in line 17 most closely means: (a) from this time (b) far away (c) in this place (d) by hand (e) solemnly THE DAY IS DONE Henry Wadsworth Longfellow The day is done, and the darkness Falls from the wings of Night, As a feather is wafted downward From an eagle in his flight. 4 I see the lights of the village Gleam through the rain and the mist, And a feeling of sadness comes o'er me That my soul cannot resist: 8 A feeling of sadness and longing, That is not akin to pain, And resembles sorrow only As the mist resembles the rain The poet uses the word feather in line 3 as a simile for: (a) an eagle (b) a bird s wing (c) day (d) night (e) darkness 15. The tone of this poem could best be described as: (a) painful (b) devastated (c) exhausted (d) melancholy (e) irritated 16. This poem is primarily about: (a) the unhappiness which comes at the end of the day (b) the feeling of pleasure after a long day s work (c) the grief at the death of a loved one (d) the exhaustion caused by strenuous labour (e) the depression which comes from living in a small village Empey-Hemming Educational Centre Page 5

6 AUTUMN DAYBREAK Edna St. Vincent Millay Cold wind of autumn, blowing loud At dawn, a fortnight overdue, Jostling the doors, and tearing through My bedroom to rejoin the cloud, 4 I know for I can hear the hiss And scrape of leaves along the floor How many boughs, lashed bare by this, Will rake the cluttered sky once more. 8 Tardy, and somewhat south of east, The sun will rise at length, made known More by the meagre light increased Than by a disk in splendour shown; 12 When, having but to turn my head, Through the stripped maple I shall see, Bleak and remembered, patched with red, The hill all summer hid from me It CANNOT be inferred from the poem that: (a) autumn has arrived late this year (b) some of the windows of the house are open (c) it is a windy autumn morning (d) the day will be sunny later on (e) there are maple trees outside the narrator s bedroom window 18. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the poem? (a) leaves blowing through the narrator s house (b) the bare branches of trees blowing in the wind (c) the weak sunshine of a stormy autumn day (d) wind racing through a house (e) a hillside hidden by snow 19. The word lashed in line 7 most likely means: (a) pulled apart (b) whipped (c) ripped off (d) stroked gently (e) blown away Empey-Hemming Educational Centre Page 6

7 20. The main purpose of this poem is to: (a) explain why autumn is the most exciting season (b) describe an early morning in fall (c) offer reasons why autumn is so windy (d) comment on the autumn weather (e) contrast a fall morning with a winter afternoon 21. The word disk in line 12 refers to: (a) the sun (b) a computer disk (c) a golden plate (d) a DVD (e) a mirror Emily Dickinson I dwell in Possibility A fairer House than Prose More numerous of Windows Superior for Doors 4 Of Chambers as the Cedars Impregnable of Eye And for an Everlasting Roof The Gambrels of the Sky 8 Of Visitors the fairest For Occupation This The spreading wide of narrow Hands To gather Paradise The word possibility in line 1 is used to symbolize: (a) prose (b) a house (c) a location (d) poetry (e) the poet 23. The poet would most likely agree that: (a) poetry contains more possibilities than other types of writing (b) her house has more windows and doors than other houses (c) the best rooms are built of cedar (d) gambrels are the longest-lasting roof material (e) the aim of a poet is to live in paradise Empey-Hemming Educational Centre Page 7

8 24. The word visitors in this poem (line 9) specifically refers to: (a) welcome guests (b) beautiful people (c) pretty birds (d) readers of poetry (e) intruders 25. The phrase impregnable of eye in line 6 most likely means: (a) unable to be seen (b) not pregnant (c) impossible to see through (d) unable to be damaged (e) an all-seeing gaze TO LUCASTA, ON GOING TO THE WARS Richard Lovelace Tell me not, Sweet, I am unkind That from the nunnery Of thy chaste breast and quiet mind, To war and arms I fly. 4 True, a new mistress now I chase, The first foe in the field; And with a stronger faith embrace A sword, a horse, a shield. 8 Yet this inconstancy is such As you too shall adore; I could not love thee, dear, so much, Loved I not honour more As used in line 2, the word nunnery is closest in meaning to a: (a) place where nuns live (b) mine (c) abandoned forest (d) gateway (e) safe place 27. The author would mostly likely AGREE that: (a) every man should fight in a war (b) war is the most important thing in life (c) those who do not truly love have no honour (d) only those who are honourable can truly love other people (e) faith is necessary for both love and war Empey-Hemming Educational Centre Page 8

9 28. The word mistress in line 5 refers to: (a) an enemy (b) a woman (c) a man (d) a horse (e) a huntress 29. The author s purpose in this passage is to: (a) plead with Lucasta to return his love (b) convince Lucasta that it is a good thing that he is going to war (c) explain to Lucasta that he is fighting a just war (d) describe what it means to truly love someone (e) tell Lucasta that he has a new mistress 30. According to the passage, which of the following statements are true? I. The author is going to war II. The author has been staying in a nunnery III. The author loves Lucasta more than anything (a) I only (b) III only (c) I and II only (d) I and III only (e) I, II, and III 31. We CANNOT infer from the passage that: (a) the author is a soldier (b) the author loves Lucasta (c) the author loves war (d) Lucasta loves the author (e) the author thinks honour is more important than love EVEN SUCH IS TIME Sir Walter Raleigh Even such is time, that takes in trust Our youth, our joys, our all we have, And pays us but with earth and dust; Who, in the dark and silent grave, 4 When we have wandered all our ways, Shuts up the story of our days. But from this earth, this grave, this dust, My God shall raise me up, I trust. 8 Empey-Hemming Educational Centre Page 9

10 32. The author s opinion of time is that it: (a) trusts young people and their moods (b) pays for things with earth and dust (c) can be found in dark graves (d) is the thief of youth (e) can be raised by God 33. We can infer that the author believes which of the following statements? I. He will be resurrected by God after death. II. Time will heal all of his wounds. III. He will be buried with his books. (a) I only (b) II only (c) I and II only (d) I and III only (e) I, II, and III 34. The story of our days (line 6) most closely means: (a) our autobiographies (b) our most trusted newspapers (c) our favourite folktales (d) the best modern novels (e) the memory of our lives 35. The tone of this poem could best be described as: (a) frustrated (b) livid (c) faithful (d) contemplative (e) hesitant O CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN Walt Whitman O Captain my Captain! our fearful trip is done, The ship has weathered every rack, the prize we sought is won, The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting, While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring; 4 But O heart! heart! heart! O the bleeding drops of red, Where on the deck my Captain lies, Fallen cold and dead. 8 Empey-Hemming Educational Centre Page 10

11 36. The word weathered in line 1 most likely means: (a) deceased (b) survived (c) stretched (d) loved (e) lost 37. The mood of this poem could best be described as: (a) mournful (b) solemn (c) jubilant (d) jovial (e) pessimistic 38. The author s tone could best be described as: (a) irate (b) triumphant (c) depressed (d) grief-stricken (e) monotonous 39. According to the passage, which of the following statements are true? I. People are cheering for the ship s return II. The narrator has had a nightmare about the captain s death III. The ship was successful in its mission (a) I only (b) III only (c) I and II only (d) I and III only (e) II and III only 40. The dramatic contrast in this poem is the contrast between: (a) the dangerous voyage and the safe return to port (b) the wealthy captain and the poor crew (c) the triumphant return and the death of the captain (d) the loud bells of the city and the silence on the ship (e) the captain and his son Empey-Hemming Educational Centre Page 11