Noiseless Patient Spider
What connotation does the word "isolated" have in the poem?
a. fear
b. solitude
c. dependency
b. solitude
The spider spinning its web is a visual representation of this isolation reaching out into the vast expanse seemingly alone.
(**Discuss whether it is positive or negative)
Which word means : To lessen; to reduce in severity a. abate b. consequence c. triviality d. prosperity
abate
The imagery of the receding tide most likely symbolizes:
a) The cyclical nature of life and death.
b) The speaker's overwhelming joy.
c) The arrival of a long-awaited guest.
d) The speaker's intense fear of the ocean.
The repeated image of the receding tide most likely symbolizes is a) The cyclical nature of life and death.
**Rationale:** The ebb and flow of the tide is a natural cycle of coming and going, mirroring the cyclical nature of life and death, often a major theme in poetry. Options b, c, and d are unlikely given the generally melancholic and reflective tone associated with "ebb tide."
The poem's focus on the speaker's nose likely symbolizes:
a) The speaker's physical perfection and beauty.
b) A specific aspect of the speaker's identity or self-perception.
c) The insignificance of physical attributes.
d) The speaker's complete lack of self-awareness.
The poem's focus on the speaker's nose likely symbolizes b) a specific aspect of the speaker's identity or self-perception.**
**Rationale:** Focusing on a single body part suggests a deeper meaning related to self-image, identity, or a specific personal experience connected to the nose. Options a, c, and d are less likely given the personal and introspective nature of a poem about a body part.
Read lines 24 and 25.
But now I only hear
Its melancholy, long, withdrawing, roar,
In the line 25, the word melancholy most closely means
a) sorrowful
b) exhausted
c) loud
In the line 25, the word melancholy most closely means a) sorrowful.
In the context of the poem, "melancholy" describes the mood and tone associated with the "long, withdrawing roar" of the sea, which symbolizes the decline of faith. The word evokes a feeling of sadness and loss, not exhaustion or simply loudness.
What connotation does the word "explore" have in the poem.
a. perseverance
b. reluctance
c. dependency
The connotation that the word explore has is a. perseverance.
When considering the spider's actions, perseverance is the best answer because it implies a patient and methodical approach to the process of exploration.
(**Discuss whether it is positive or negative)
Which word means: Warlike; given to waging war a. belligerent b. cacophony c. conflagration
a. belligerent
A prevailing sense of _____________ is evident in the poem's descriptions of the fading light and the retreating sea.**
a) Excitement and anticipation.
b) Melancholy and resignation.
c) Anger and frustration.
d) Joyful celebration.
A prevailing sense of melancholy and resignation is evident in the poem's descriptions of the fading light and the retreating sea.
Correct Answer: b) Melancholy and resignation.**
**Rationale:** Fading light and a retreating sea are typically associated with feelings of sadness, loss, and acceptance of the inevitable. Options a, c, and d are contrary to this typically somber imagery.
The poem's overall tone could be described as:
a) Solemn and mournful.
b) Angry and resentful.
c) Humorous and self-deprecating
d) Excited and celebratory.
The poem's overall tone could be described as c) humorous and self-deprecating
**Rationale: The tone depends on the poem's style and specific details. Options a, b, and d are less likely given the poem's subject matter.
In lines 21-22, when the speaker says, “The Sea of Faith/Was once, too, at the full, and round earth’s shore, he implied that—
a) the sea naturally inspires religious reflection.
b) in the past, people relied too much on religion.
c) when people want to reflect on religion, they visited the sea
d) people's belief in God has diminished.
In lines 21-22, when the speaker says, “The Sea of Faith/Was once, too, at the full, and round earth’s shore, he implied that people's belief in God has diminished.
**Correct Answer: d)** **Rationale:** The poem's context suggests a decline in faith, mirroring the receding waves. Options a, b, and c are too literal or lack the poem's implied sense of loss. (implicit vs explicit)
(a) the sea naturally inspires religious reflection: While the sea might inspire reflection in general, the poem doesn't suggest this is the primary reason for associating the sea with faith. The focus is on the decline of faith, not its inspiration.
(b) in the past, people relied too much on religion: The poem doesn't imply excessive reliance; rather, it highlights a decrease in faith.
(c) when people want to reflect on religion, they visit the sea: This is not supported by the text. The sea is a metaphorical representation of faith, not a place people specifically went to contemplate it.
What connotation does the phrase "ever tirelessly" have in the poem?
a. indifferent
b. lethargic
c. unwavering
The connotation that the word explore has is c. unwavering.
C is the best choice because it highlights the spider's dedication and ceaseless effort.
(**Discuss whether it is positive or negative)
What word means: characterized by oppressive heat and humidity a. encroachment b. permeate c. caucus d. sultry
d. sultry
The use of "dying (bereft) light" as a metaphor likely suggests:
a) The speaker's intense vitality and energy.
b) The end of a period, possibly signifying loss or change.
c) The beginning of a new and hopeful chapter.
d) The speaker's excitement for an upcoming event.
The use of "dying light" as a metaphor likely suggests b) The end of a period, possibly signifying loss or change.
**Rationale:** "Dying light" suggests finality and the conclusion of a cycle, often linked to feelings of loss or transition in Teasdale's poetry. Options a, c, and d contradict this sense of conclusion.
What can the reader infer about the speaker's father?
a) he believes other people are always hurtful when it comes to physical differences.
b) he was teased about his own large nose when he was a child.
c)his nose is smaller than his son's nose, so he cannot understand his son's problems
d)he had his nose altered to be smaller because it had grown so large.
The reader infer that the speaker's father b) was teased about his own large nose when he was a child.
**Rationale:** B is the best choice because the text states, "Son, it's something that you get used to." He also had a large nose and was speaking from experience. Options a, c, and d can not be thoroughly supported with textual evidence.
In the poem dover beach by Mathew Arnold what is the most likely reason the poet ends the second stance after line 20...
a) to emphasize the pens setting
b) to indicate a shift in the speaker's subject
c) to introduce details about the sea 's effect on religion
D) to highlight a change in how the sea makes the speaker feel
In the poem dover beach by Mathew Arnold what is the most likely reason the poet ends the second stance after line 20 is b) to indicate a shift in the speaker's subject.
**Rationale**The other choices are incorrect because they are either too narrow or miss the central purpose of the stanza break in "Dover Beach".
a) to emphasize the poem's setting:** While the setting is crucial to the poem's mood and imagery, the stanza break isn't primarily about emphasizing the setting itself. The shift in focus from the external world (setting) to the internal world (speaker's emotions) is the key reason for the break.
c) to introduce details about the sea's effect on religion:** The poem already establishes the connection between the receding sea and the decline of faith in the first stanza. The second stanza's focus moves beyond the sea's symbolic representation to address the speaker's immediate emotional response and the need for human connection.
d) to highlight a change in how the sea makes the speaker feel:** This option is partially correct, as the speaker's feelings do change; however, the change in *subject matter* – from the broad decline of faith to the personal need for love – is a more accurate and comprehensive explanation for the stanza break. The shift in feeling is a *result* of the shift in subject.
What connotation does the phrase "measureless oceans of space" have in the poem?
a. infinity
b. limited
c. narrow
The connotation that the word explore has is a. infinity.
The ocean represents something immense and overwhelming, something beyond the spider's immediate comprehension.
(**Discuss whether it is positive or negative)
What word means: shower with love: a. dote b. cajole c. belie d. affection
a. affection
Imagery of "empty beach bare with its rocks and scars" most likely symbolizes:
a) Future aspirations and potential.
b) Remnants of past experiences or lost opportunities.
c) Abundance and prosperity.
d) New beginnings and fresh starts.
Imagery of the "empty beach" most likely symbolizes b) remnants of past experiences or lost opportunities.
**Rationale:** Empty beach bare with its rocks and scars represent what was once alive but is now gone, reflecting loss and the passage of time, consistent with Teasdale's thematic concerns. Options a, c, and d contrast with this imagery of loss.
Which quotation provides the best evidence that people find the speaker's nose shocking?
a) the way it leads me from meal to meal
b) and you nose will grow much bigger yet
c) but it always made the ladies swoon
d) whether for worse or maybe better
The best evidence that people find the speaker's nose shocking c) but it always made the ladies swoon.
**Rationale:**C is the best choice because it suggest that the ladies fainted as a result of their shock. Options a, b, and d are not unique or shock prompting qualities.
The narrator uses the commands “Come to the window” and “Listen!” to encourage his audience to
a) pay close attention
b) cower in fear
c) downplay the situation
d) let their minds wander
The narrator uses the commands “Come to the window” and “Listen!” to encourage his audience to a) pay close attention.
The commands "Come to the window" and "Listen!" are imperative verbs designed to draw the audience's attention to the scene and the speaker's message. They are not meant to frighten, minimize, or distract. The speaker wants the audience to actively participate and focus on the experience.
What connotation does the phrase "the gossamer thread" have in the poem?
a. robustness
b. sturdiness
c. fragility
The connotation that the word explore has is a. fragility.
A is the best answer because the thinness of the thread suggest a sense of vulnerability.
(**Discuss whether it is positive or negative)
What word means a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual a. lancet b. whittle c. diffidence d. idiosyncrasy
d. idiosyncrasy
Suppose the poem mentions "a fading sunset." This image most likely reinforces the theme of:
a) Hope and renewal.
b) Tranquility and peace.
c) Loss and the passage of time.
d) Excitement and adventure.
This image most likely reinforces the theme of c) loss and the passage of time.
**Rationale:** A fading sunset symbolizes the end of a day, often connected to themes of loss, the fleeting nature of time, and the approach of night. Options a, b, and d are less fitting interpretations.
Which of the following words from the poem are related to largeness? Select TWO correct answers.
f) looms (line 4)
g) bulbous (line 6)
h) crown (line 9)
j) taunt (line 12)
k) regal (line 24)
The words from the poem are related to largeness are f) looms and g)bulbous.
**Rationale:**G and F are the only choices associate with the word large. Options h, j, and k are not related to largeness.
What is a theme of the poem?
Select TWO correct answers.
f) The world is more beautiful than it used to be.
g) Seas are unchanging reminders.
h) To survive in this world, people must be true to one another.
j) Faith is slipping away.
k) caring for the natural world is the key to lasting happiness.
The correct answers are h) To survive in this world, people must be true to one another, and j) Faith is slipping away.
The poem "Dover Beach" explores the decline of faith ("Sea of Faith") and the need for human connection in a world lacking traditional certainties. The speaker's plea, "Ah, love, let us be true / To one another!" underscores the importance of human relationships as a source of strength and comfort in the face of uncertainty. Therefore, both options (h) and (j) accurately reflect major themes in Arnold's poem.
Options (f), (g), and (k) are incorrect; the poem does not portray the world as more beautiful, the seas are depicted as changing (metaphorically representing the decline of faith), and caring for the natural world is not explicitly linked to lasting happiness within the poem's context.