Pearson | Poetry Unit 2

In "Sonnet, With Bird," what event has caused the speaker great sorrow?

• A. moving off the Indian reservation

• B. missing his wife while staying in London

• C. a conversation with his mother about a childhood friend

• D. the death of the childhood friend he once visited with in London

Read this final section from "Sonnet, With Bird." Then, answer the question that follows.

A gathering of quail is called a bevy. A gathering of Indians is called a tribe. When quails speak, they call it a song. When Indians sing, the air is heavy with grief. When quails grieve, they lie down next to their dead. When Indians die, the quail speaks.

What do the details in this passage suggest are the reasons that the speaker associates quails with Indians? Choose two options.

• A. Both sing tuneless songs.

• B. Both live together in groups.

• C. Both grieve when comrades die.

• D. Both wear feathered headdresses.

• E. Both have very small populations.

In "Elliptical," who are the most likely speakers, and about whom are they most likely speaking?

• A. Mainstream society seems to be speaking about a group it looks down on.

• B. Recent immigrants seem to be speaking about those who were born here.

• C. Elected officials seem to be speaking about their political opponents.

• D. Oppressed people seem to be speaking about their oppressors.

Of the following explanations, which best explains the implications of the ellipses, or set of three dots, that appear throughout "Elliptical"?

• A. The speakers have been interrupted by someone or something.

• B. The speakers are too hesitant or confused to finish their remarks.

• C. The statements are so predictable that they need not be completed.

• D. The omitted words are considered vulgar or otherwise inappropriate.

In "Fences," what main point is the poet making when the mother repeats, "It's their beach. / It's their beach"?

• A. It is sad to see poor people thinking that their local beach belongs to the tourists.

• B. It is important for a parent to teach his or her children respect and obedience.

• C. It is dangerous for children to go swimming at a beach without supervision.

• D. It is difficult for people to communicate when there is a language barrier.

"Sonnet, With Bird," "Elliptical," and "Fences" all explore what human experience?

• A. homesickness and loneliness

• B. uncomfortable social barriers

• C. experiences in overseas travel

• D. death or absence of loved ones

If the citizens of a country are entitled to vote, then which of the following must be true? Base your answer on the meaning of entitled.

• A. Their right to vote is officially recognized.

• B. They can obtain the right to vote by paying a fee.

• C. They can have the right to vote taken away at any time.

• D. They are told they have the right to vote even though they do not.

Which of the following things would most likely give a person a new perspective?

• A. a sudden change in temperature

• B. a surprise visit from a friend

• C. a life-changing experience

• D. a fresh, cold drink

To which of the following situations does the word interactions best apply?

• A. a child watching others playing in a playground

• B. someone sitting in a hotel room, thinking of home

• C. two strangers striking up a conversation about things in common

• D. someone waiting in a restaurant for a friend who never shows up

Both “Sonnet, With Bird” and “Elliptical” lack certain basic features of traditional poetry and are classified as prose poems. Which characteristic best shows why they are still considered poems?

• A. Like all prose poems, they rhyme.

• B. Like many prose poems, they have a regular meter.

• C. Like some prose poems, they concern traditional poetic topics.

• D. Like many prose poems, they suggest meanings rather than stating them directly.