Name:
Date:
English 10 Poetry Test
/45
Part A: Poetic Terms (value 15)
Match the term to its definition. You will need to know these in order to answer questions in the
following sections.
A. Rhyme
_____ The repetition of a sound within a sentence
or line of poetry.
B. Internal Rhyme
_____ Bending the rules of language in order to fit
a particular rhythm or rhyme scheme.
C. Stanza
_____ A pattern of beats.
D. Rhythm
_____ Word choice.
E. Consonance
_____ A poetry paragraph.
F. Assonance
_____ The main idea that a piece of writing
discusses (i.e. war, love, hate, etc.).
G. Alliteration
_____ An imaginative comparison not using like
or as.
H. Blank Verse
_____ When two words have the same sound
within a line of poetry.
I. Couplet
_____ An imaginative comparison using like or as.
J. Poetic License
_____ The lesson of a piece of writing.
K. Diction
_____ The repetition of a consonant sound within a
sentence or line of poetry.
L. Moral
_____ Two lines of poetry (usually rhyme).
M. Theme
_____ When two words have the same sound.
N. Metaphor
_____ A poem with no rhyme or rhythm pattern.
O. Simile
_____ The repetition of a vowel sound within a
sentence or line of poetry.
* Turn the page over!
Part B: Poetry Analysis of “Me Against the World” by Tupac (value 14)
Read the poem carefully and more than once, and then answer the questions below. Be sure to provide
evidence where possible. Give specific line numbers where possible.
1. What is the overall meaning of Tupac’s lyrics? (value 2)
2. The poet feels like it’s “Me against the world.” Why do you think he feels this way? What
evidence can you find in the poem? (value 2)
3. How does Tupac suggest we overcome injustice? (value 2)
4. If the poet is in such a bad situation, and if his life has so much injustice, explain why he would
tell the reader to “Be grateful for your blessings” in line 8? (value 2)
5. Explain the meaning of why the poet insists the listener should not “ever change, keep your
essence” in line 9? What does Tupac mention that might cause you to change? (value 2)
6. Find examples of four different poetic devices in the poem. Write the poetic device you have
identified, and give the line number (ex. stanza – lines 1-4). (value 4)
Part C: Poetry Analysis of “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas (value 12)
Read the poem carefully and more than once, and then answer the questions below. Be sure to provide
evidence where possible. Give specific line numbers where possible.
1. What is the overall meaning of Dylan Thomas’s poem? (value 2)
2. Paraphrase the line, “Do not go gentle into that good night.” What is it saying? (value 2)
3. Paraphrase the line, “Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” What is it saying? (value 2)
4. Thomas repeats the lines “Do not go gentle into that good night” and “Rage, rage against the dying of
the light” throughout the poem. What meaning or effect does this create? (value 2)
5. Find examples of four different poetic devices in the poem. Write the poetic device you have
identified, and give the line number (ex. stanza – lines 1-4). (value 4)
* Note: you cannot use the same poetic devices you identified in the first poem.
Part D: Paragraph Response (value 8)
Answer one of the following questions in paragraph form. Include a specific topic sentence, reasoning
and detailed support. You should write at least 5 sentences.
What are the unspoken beliefs about life that you feel Dylan Thomas and Tupac share? Support your
analysis by referring directly to the poems.
OR
Identify the common theme between these two poems. Support your analysis by referring directly to the
poems.
* Please answer Part D on the back of this page.