The following poem is one of Shakespeare's many love sonnets. As you read the
poem, pay attention to poetic structure and theme. When you have finished
reading, answer the questions that follow.
Sonnet 116
Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds
Or bends with the remover to remove.
5 O, no! It is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken.
It is the star to every wand'ring bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his heighth be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
10 Within his bending sickle's compass come.
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.
–William Shakespeare
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
1. In line 2 of the poem, what does the word impediments mean?
A. inconsistencies
B. obstacles
C. independence
D. virtues
2. What is the rhyme scheme of this poem?
A. ABBA CDDC EFFE GG
B. ABC ABC DEF DEF GG
C. AA BB CC DD EE FF GG
D. ABAB CDCD EFEF GG
3. What is the theme of "Sonnet 116"?
A. True love remains steady.
B. Even the strongest love is temporary.
C. Love changes as life changes.
D. Age and time alter love.
High School Reading
Sonnet 116
“Sonnet 116” is one of William Shakespeare’s most recognizable sonnets.
A. Using your knowledge of poetic structures, identify the specific sonnet
form used by Shakespeare is “Sonnet 116.”
B. Analyze three characteristics of the poetic structure employed by
Shakespeare in “Sonnet 116.”
C. Create a title for “Sonnet 116” that is linked to the theme of the text.
Provide evidence from the poem to support your choice.
SCORING GUIDE
4
Student gives correct answers for parts A, B and C. All explanations are clear and
complete. There is evidence of clear understanding of the concept.
3
Student gives correct answers for parts A , B and C. Explanations are correct, but possibly
unclear. There is less evidence of clear understanding.
2
Student answers 2 (of A, B and C) parts of the question completely correct. There is
some evidence of understanding.
1
Student gives only one correct answer, or parts of correct answers. There is little evidence
of understanding.
0
Response is totally incorrect or irrelevant (does not add any new information to the
question)
B
No response
Open Response Answer Sheet