Poetic Elements
Which line from the poem BEST shows the use of rhyme?
A. “He felt the breath of the morning breeze”
B. “A glimmer, and then a gleam of light!”
C. “Listen, my children, and you shall hear / Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere”
D. “Marching down to their boats on the shore.”
C. “Listen, my children, and you shall hear / Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere”
What type of figurative language is used in the line, “The fate of a nation was riding that night”?
A. Simile
B. Hyperbole
C. Metaphor
D. Alliteration
What type of figurative language is used in the line, “The fate of a nation was riding that night”?
C. Metaphor
Which detail BEST belongs in a summary of the poem?
A. Paul Revere owned a strong and fearless horse.
B. Paul Revere warned villages that the British were coming.
C. The weathercock shined in the moonlight.
D. Paul Revere passed farms and meadows.
Correct Answer: B
Which detail BEST belongs in a summary of the poem?
B. Paul Revere warned villages that the British were coming.
Which idea is developed throughout the poem?
A. The importance of enjoying nature
B. The consequences of not following directions
C. The bravery needed to protect one’s country
D. The excitement of traveling at night
Which idea is developed throughout the poem?
C. The bravery needed to protect one’s country
Fun Fact Question:
Which U.S. president was the first to live in the White House?
A. George Washington
B. John Adams
C. Thomas Jefferson
D. James Madison
Correct Answer: B. John Adams
(Washington oversaw construction but never lived there!)
What poetic element is the phrase “A phantom ship” an example of?
A. Rhythm
B. Imagery
C. Repetition
D. Hyperbole
What poetic element is the phrase “A phantom ship” an example of?
B. Imagery
What does the simile “Across the moon, like a prison-bar” MOST suggest?
A. The ship looked small and harmless
B. The ship blocked the moonlight like bars
C. Paul Revere was trapped on the water
D. The moon was rising unusually fast
Correct Answer: B
What does the simile “Across the moon, like a prison-bar” MOST suggest?
B. The ship blocked the moonlight like bars
A summary of stanzas 1–3 should mainly include that—
A. Paul Revere sailed across the bay to escape the British
B. British soldiers hid near the church tower
C. The moon rose while Paul Revere prepared to fight
D. Paul Revere arranged a signal to learn how the British would travel
A summary of stanzas 1–3 should mainly include that—
D. Paul Revere arranged a signal to learn how the British would travel
The poet MOST develops the theme of courage by showing—
A. Paul Revere's horse figuratively "flying"
B. Paul Revere waiting quietly, while watching for his friend
C. Paul Revere riding through the night to warn others despite danger
D. Paul Revere feeding and caring for his horse, knowing he might be needed soon.
The poet MOST develops the theme of courage by showing—
C. Paul Revere riding through the night to warn others despite danger
Fun Fact Question:
What is the only mammal that can truly fly?
A. Flying squirrel
B. Bat
C. Sugar glider
D. Lemur
Correct Answer: B. Bat
(Flying squirrels glide, but bats are the only mammals that actually fly.)
Lines such as “A shape in the moonlight, a bulk in the dark” help create which mood?
A. Cheerful
B. Mysterious
C. Bored
D. Confused
Lines such as “A shape in the moonlight, a bulk in the dark” help create which mood?
B. Mysterious
In stanza 8, “a spark…kindled the land into flame” is an example of—
A. metaphor
B. personification
C. understatement
D. onomatopoeia
In stanza 8, “a spark…kindled the land into flame” is an example of—
A. metaphor
Which detail is MOST important for a summary of stanzas 7–12?
A. Paul Revere heard dogs barking in Medford town
B. Paul Revere traveled through several towns as he warned people
C. The weathercock looked golden in the moonlight
D. Birds tweeted in the trees near Concord
Which detail is MOST important for a summary of stanzas 7–12?
B. Paul Revere traveled through several towns as he warned people
Which line BEST supports the theme of standing up in times of danger?
A. “He heard the bleating of the flock”
B. “A voice in the darkness, a knock at the door”
C. “He felt the damp of the river-fog”
D. “Who remembers that famous day and year”
Which line BEST supports the theme of standing up in times of danger?
B. “A voice in the darkness, a knock at the door”
Fun Fact Question:
Which baseball player is known as “The Sultan of Swat”?
A. Jackie Robinson
B. Hank Aaron
C. Babe Ruth
D. Lou Gehrig
Correct Answer: C. Babe Ruth
The repeated mention of moonlight throughout the poem mainly helps the reader understand—
A. the moon was unusually bright for spring
B. the events happened quickly
C. Paul Revere wanted to avoid being seen
D. the setting takes place late at night
The repeated mention of moonlight throughout the poem mainly helps the reader understand—
D. the setting takes place late at night
The line “The Somerset…a phantom ship” uses figurative language to show—
A. the ship was quiet and ghostlike
B. Paul Revere didn’t know what he saw
C. the British were trying to hide the ship
D. the ship was falling apart
The line “The Somerset…a phantom ship” uses figurative language to show—
A. the ship was quiet and ghostlike
Which sentence BEST summarizes the entire poem?
A. Paul Revere rode through the night, observing nature and animals around him.
B. British soldiers marched through towns, but no one warned the colonists.
C. Paul Revere rode through towns at night, warning that the British were coming, inspiring colonists to fight.
D. Paul Revere struggled to see the signal lights from the church tower.
Which sentence BEST summarizes the entire poem?
C. Paul Revere rode through towns at night, warning that the British were coming, inspiring colonists to fight.
The theme that individual actions can inspire others is mainly developed through—
A. the man sitting in the church tower
B. the repeated mention of British soldiers preparing to attack
C. the way Paul Revere’s warning sparks the colonists into action
D. the colonist's "spectral glare" at Revere
The theme that individual actions can inspire others is mainly developed through—
C. the way Paul Revere’s warning sparks the colonists into action
Fun Fact Question:
What is the term for a batter hitting a home run with all bases loaded?
A. Triple run
B. Big Shabang
C. Grand slam
D. Power hit
Fun Fact Question:
What is the term for a batter hitting a home run with all bases loaded?
C. Grand slam
Explain how Longfellow uses imagery to help the reader visualize Paul Revere’s ride.
Sentence Stem: One way the poet uses imagery to help the reader picture the events is…
One way the poet uses imagery to help the reader picture the events is by describing how the “phantom ship” looked across the moon like a “prison-bar.” This helps me imagine how dark and frightening the night was as Paul Revere prepared for his ride.
Explain how Longfellow’s use of figurative language helps show the danger or urgency of Paul Revere’s mission.
Sentence Stem: The figurative language shows urgency because…
The figurative language shows urgency because the poet says “the fate of a nation was riding that night,” which is a metaphor that makes the ride seem extremely important and dangerous. It shows that Paul Revere’s message could change what happened to the entire country.
Write a summary of the poem in 2–3 sentences.
Sentence Stem: The poem “Paul Revere’s Ride” is mostly about…
The poem “Paul Revere’s Ride” is mostly about Paul Revere warning the colonists that the British were coming. He rides through several towns at night after seeing the signal lights. His warning inspires the colonists to prepare to fight for their freedom.
Explain how Paul Revere’s actions help develop a message about responsibility or bravery.
Sentence Stem: Paul Revere’s actions show the theme of bravery because…
Paul Revere’s actions show the theme of bravery because he rode alone at night knowing the British soldiers were coming. Even though it was dangerous, he continued his mission to warn others, showing courage and responsibility for protecting his community.
Fun Fact Question (Open Ended):
Explain why astronauts appear to float in space even though gravity still exists.
Sentence Stem: Astronauts appear to float because…
Sample Answer:
Astronauts appear to float because they are in constant free‑fall around Earth, which creates the feeling of weightlessness even though gravity is still pulling on them.