"To a Snake"
The speaker’s reaction to the snake (lines 1 through 6) was triggered by
(1) curiosity
(2) coloring
(3) movement
(4) aggression
(2) coloring
The act of stepping “over the barbed wire” (line 7) represents the
(1) crossing into a dangerous region
(2) passage to an imaginary landscape
(3) entrance into a more natural world
(4) pathway to an unpleasant territory
(3) entrance into a more natural world
The herons’ searching for something “they lost” (line 9) implies
(1) the speaker’s admiration of their efforts
(2) the speaker’s fears for their survival
(3) a competition between the speaker and them
(4) a parallel between the speaker and them
(4) a parallel between the speaker and them
Which phrase helps to clarify the meaning of the word “ricocheting” in line 1?
(1) “The other day” (line 1)
(2) “slowly off” (lines 1 and 2)
(3) “bouncing from” (line 3)
(4) “my eyes fell upon” (line 6)
(3) “bouncing from” (line 3)
The word “if” in line 10 indicates the speaker
(1) provokes a response from the snake
(2) tolerates that the snake lives near the garden
(3) respects the needs of the snake
(4) resents that the snake goes into the cellar
(4) resents that the snake goes into the cellar
The statement “they ripple tensely” (line 9) reflects the ponies’ reaction to the
(1) nearness of the road
(2) possibility of escape
(3) recognition of their owners
(4) arrival of visitors
(4) arrival of visitors
In the context of the poem as a whole, line 12 signals that the
(1) waves are forceful and the beach is calm
(2) speaker is thinking about a past event
(3) father is looking at the birds but not talking
(4) birds are too far away for the speaker to hear
(2) speaker is thinking about a past event
The comparison of the lanyard to the cookie (lines 5 through 8) serves to
(1) remind the narrator of a famous novel
(2) transport the narrator to a different time
(3) confirm the narrator’s appreciation for his mother
(4) clarify the narrator’s purpose for his work
(2) transport the narrator to a different time
The use of “the lacrosse stick” (line 14) to move the snake most likely suggests
(1) hastiness
(2) precision
(3) creativity
(4) sensitivity
(1) hastiness
The simile in line 11 suggests the ponies’
(1) feathery manes
(2) graceful necks
(3) shining eyes
(4) glistening coats
(2) graceful necks
The descriptions of the “herons” (line 4) and the “seagulls” (line 13) suggest a
(1) contrast between what is remembered and what is present
(2) comparison between the habits of the two species
(3) regard for the presence of such beautiful birds
(4) recognition of the signifi cance of the past and its lessons
(1) contrast between what is remembered and what is present
Lines 9 through 18 reveal that the boy believes
(1) in his skill as a weaver
(2) in the importance of his lanyard
(3) that his mother needed a lanyard
(4) that his effort would please his mother
(4) that his effort would please his mother
13 The phrase “shamelessly twisted” (line 17) emphasizes the speaker’s
(1) pride in the quick reaction
(2) surprise at the snake’s inaction
(3) guilt surrounding the violent act
(4) certainty about the snake’s survival
(3) guilt surrounding the violent act
The poem is primarily developed through the use of
(1) imagery to describe an intense experience
(2) transitions to emphasize changing seasons
(3) exaggeration to enhance an interesting event
(4) contrasts to compare differing viewpoints
(1) imagery to describe an intense experience
The naming of the birds throughout the poem serves to
(1) affirm a respect for nature
(2) create a link between generations
(3) exemplify the importance of words
(4) distinguish the species of birds
(2) create a link between generations
The poem conveys a reflection on the
(1) value of the mother’s love
(2) significance of the boy’s dreams
(3) importance of the boy’s achievement
(4) sincerity of the mother’s beliefs
(1) value of the mother’s love
Lines 17 through 22 demonstrate a shift in mood from (1) boredom to excitement
(2) innocence to vengeance
(3) courage to bitterness
(4) hesitancy to regret
(4) hesitancy to regret
The title of the poem highlights the
(1) beauty of the land
(2) relationship between the ponies
(3) friendship between the visitors
(4) significance of the encounter
(4) significance of the encounter
How many enjambments does this poem contain?
22
In the poem’s final movement, the narrator describes himself as "shrewd" and "perfectly sure" that the lanyard would "settle the score" with his mother. Given the thematic arc of the entire poem, what is the primary purpose of this specific word choice?
A) To suggest that the child was intentionally manipulative and trying to avoid chores by offering a gift.
B) To highlight the ironic distance between a child’s simplistic understanding of debt and an adult’s realization of a mother's infinite sacrifice.
C) To provide a literal economic critique of how summer camps profit from the "unpaid labor" of children making crafts.
D) To imply that the mother was a difficult person to please, requiring the narrator to be "shrewd" in his negotiations for her affection.
B) To highlight the ironic distance between a child’s simplistic understanding of debt and an adult’s realization of a mother's infinite sacrifice.