A Real Case
Which lines from the poem best suggest that the speaker’s situation is temporary?
F Doubtful,/I have a fever
G Tomorrow,/I’ll come around.
H TODAY!/It hit like a thwop of mashed potatoes
J I could attract mosquitoes—/maybe—not friends.
G Tomorrow,/I'll come around.
Read this line from the poem.
"But I walked away a wiser man."
This line suggests that at the end of the poem the speaker —
A knows how valuable a small amount of gold can be
B realizes the most effective technique for panning for gold
C understands why so many people looked for gold during the gold rush
D gains a new perspective about the outcome of panning for gold
D gains a new perspective about the outcome of panning for gold
In the first stanza, the poet suggests that one reason the poplar is not useful is that it —
F loses its leaves in the fall
G does not provide much protection for others
H does not grow very tall
J grows in areas where few other things live
G does not provide much protection for others
What is the most likely reason that the poet uses capitalization in line 6?
A To highlight a problem the speaker experiences
B To stress the speaker’s expectations for tomorrow
C To indicate that the speaker’s condition happens unexpectedly
D To show the speaker’s excitement about an upcoming event
C To indicate that the speaker’s condition happens unexpectedly
The repetition of the lines “Water and sand. That’s ALL it takes./Swish your pan. Pick out the flakes!” is used to emphasize the —
F importance of gold mining to the economy
G physical hardships and obstacles faced by miners
H additional tools needed by miners in the goldfields
J false promise that gold mining is an easy way to get rich
J false promise that gold mining is an easy way to get rich
The poet uses personification in the fourth stanza to describe the poplar’s attempt to —
A attract visitors
B remain active
C provide directions to others
D resist being moved by the wind
A attract visitors
Read the following lines from the poem.
"And if you try to push my mood swing, I’ll only drag my feet."
The poet includes these lines most likely to suggest that the speaker —
F does not wish to be pushed on a swing
G wants to deal with the situation alone
H does not often receive help from others
J is not physically strong
G wants to deal with the situation alone
Read line 37 from the poem. "I should have known better." From this line, the reader can infer that the speaker feels regret about —
A giving up his search for gold
B leaving his job to prospect for gold
C having the wrong equipment for panning for gold
D taking too long to locate an area to search for gold
B leaving his job to prospect for gold
Line 1 is important to the poem because it helps —
F introduce a familiar setting
G describe the speaker
H create imagery
J establish the mood
J establish the mood
The imagery in lines 16 through 19 helps the reader understand —
A the shift in the speaker’s attitude
B the speaker’s unpleasantness
C why the speaker has no friends
D what the speaker thinks of others
B the speaker’s unpleasantness
This poem is mostly about a young man who —
F follows people going west in search of gold and tries different locations without success
G looks for a better alternative to a job that he does not enjoy doing and becomes a gold prospector
H goes west in hopes of finding gold and after several unsuccessful attempts finally realizes a better way to earn money
J tries the same method for finding gold and is unsuccessful because of his unwillingness to change
H goes west in hopes of finding gold and after several unsuccessful attempts finally realizes a better way to earn money
In stanza 2, the poplar is described mainly as —
A cautious
B envious
C curious
D arrogant
B envious
The poet reveals the speaker’s feelings mainly by —
F using similes and metaphors to describe them
G explaining their effect on others
H connecting them to memories
J repeating specific words for emphasis
F using similes and metaphors to describe them
The poet’s use of short sentences helps create the poem’s —
A vivid imagery
B rhythm
C tone
D conflict
B rhythm
Why is the last stanza important to the poem?
F It suggests that the poplar may become a desirable tree.
G It shows how a poplar copes with its situation.
H It implies that the poplar wants to be a unique tree.
J It provides an explanation for the size of a poplar.
G It shows how a poplar copes with its situation.