The Portrait
by Stanley Kunitz
Gathering Leaves
by Robert Frost
Whenever you see a tree
by Padma Venkatraman
Bed in Summer
by Robert Louis Stevenson
Keeping Quiet, by Pablo Neruda
100

Who is the speaker remembering in The Portrait?

Who is his father?

100

What natural task is the speaker describing?

Raking fallen leaves.

100

What does the poem encourage readers to do when they see a tree?

Think about its significance, strength, and what it gives.

100

What complaint does the speaker make in the poem?

Going to bed when it’s still light outside.

100

What does the speaker ask everyone in the world to do?

Keep still and silent for a moment.

200

What childhood moment marks the theme of memory and trauma?

Being slapped by his mother for asking about his father.

200

What feeling does the task of gathering leaves evoke?

A sense of futility or repetition.

200

How are trees personified in the poem?

As givers of books, shade, shelter, and even friendship.

200

What does the child’s perspective reveal about adult rules?

They often ignore the child’s sense of time and fairness.

200

What is the purpose of the silence in the poem?

To reflect and become aware of ourselves and others.

300

What does the slap symbolize in the speaker’s life?

Repression of grief and emotional disconnect.

300

How is nature used metaphorically in the poem?

As a symbol for the cycles of effort and meaninglessness.

300

What broader theme about nature does the poem celebrate?

The interconnectedness of life and the hidden gifts of nature.

300

What theme is central to the contrast between light and bedtime?

The conflict between natural rhythms and imposed schedules.

300

What social message does Neruda convey through silence?

That introspection could lead to peace and better understanding.

400

How does the poem portray memory as a source of pain?

By showing that a single moment can haunt someone for a lifetime.

400

What philosophical theme does Frost raise through the leaf-gathering?

That some tasks in life feel hollow but must still be done.

400

How does the poem promote environmental awareness?

By highlighting how much trees contribute to our lives.

400

How does the poem reflect on childhood innocence?

By showing the confusion and wonder about things adults take for granted.

400

How is silence contrasted with destruction?

Silence is healing, while action (like war) is often harmful.

500

What theme is suggested by the speaker’s return to this memory in adulthood?

That unspoken grief becomes inherited emotional trauma.

500

What is the tone of the poem regarding human effort?

Playful but subtly reflective or melancholic.

500

What does the poem suggest about human growth and learning?

That wonder and awareness begin by paying attention to the ordinary.

500

What emotion dominates the tone of the poem?

Mild frustration mixed with innocence and curiosity.

500

What is the poem’s final suggestion about stillness and renewal?

That stopping temporarily can help us start again with purpose.

M
e
n
u