A Gold Miner's Tale

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 —

• knows how valuable a small amount of gold can be

• realizes the most effective technique for panning for gold

• understands why so many people looked for gold during the gold rush

• gains a new perspective about the outcome of panning for gold

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 —

• importance of gold mining to the economy

• physical hardships and obstacles faced by miners

• additional tools needed by miners in the goldfields

• false promise that gold mining is an easy way to get rich

Read line 37 from the poem:

I should have known better.

From this line, the reader can infer that the speaker feels regret about —

• giving up his search for gold

• leaving his job to prospect for gold

• having the wrong equipment for panning for gold

• taking too long to locate an area to search for gold

This poem is mostly about a young man who —

• follows people going west in search of gold and tries different locations without success

• looks for a better alternative to a job that he does not enjoy doing and becomes a gold prospector

• goes west in hopes of finding gold and after several unsuccessful attempts finally realizes a better way to earn money

• tries the same method for finding gold and is unsuccessful because of his unwillingness to change

The poet’s use of short sentences helps create the poem’s —

• vivid imagery

• rhythm

• tone

• conflict