Name: _____________________
Literature I
Directions: Read each question carefully and record the best answer.
1.
How many syllables are in the word “expectation”? ___________
Read the following poem, “Dreams” by Langston Hughes:
“Dreams”
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken bird
That cannot fly
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with _______ .
Questions 2 – 7 pertain to the poem, “Dreams.”
2.
How many lines are in the poem? ______ How many stanzas? ______
3.
The last word of the poem has been left out. Which word in the poem would you most likely expect the final word to rhyme with? ______________
4.
What is most likely the poem’s rhyme scheme? a.
abcb aded b.
abab cdcd c.
aabb ccdd d.
abba cddc
5.
Circle one example of alliteration in the poem above.
6.
Underline one metaphor in the poem above.
7.
Langston Hughes could have written “Life is an injured bird.” Instead, he writes “Life is a broken bird.” This is an example of a.
diction b.
audience c.
rhythm
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What is the difference between a simile and a metaphor?
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What is the difference between connotation and denotation?
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Read the following poem, “The Wind” by James Stephens:
“The Wind”
The wind stood up, and gave a shout;
He whistled on his fingers, and
Kicked the withered leaves about,
And thumped the branches with his hand.
And said he’d kill, and kill, and kill;
And so he will! And so he will!
Questions 8 – 10 pertain to the poem “The Wind.”
8.
This poem is an example of: a.
an analogy b.
a paradox c.
personification
9.
Circle one example of repetition in the poem above.
10.
What is the theme of the poem? _________________________________________________
11.
What is the tone of the poem? ___________________________________________________
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12.
What is poetry?
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13.
What are some characteristics of good poetry?
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14.
Write about your previous experience with poetry: (Do you enjoy reading poems? Do you write poems? Have you studied poetry in a class before?)
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