"There But for Grace"/ "Days"

Which sentence best describes the effect of the repetition used throughout 'There But for the Grace'?

• It suggests a degree of certainty about historical events.

• It contributes to the poem’s tone of indifference toward death.

• It emphasizes ideas about circumstances and survival.

• It offers insights into memorable events from the poet’s life.

In 'There But for the Grace,' the contradictions in lines 6–16 demonstrate that —

• people are in control of their own fates

• people never know what might change their fates

• a person’s choices determine what happens to them

• a person’s position in life determines what happens to them

Read line 22 from 'There But for the Grace.' 'The net had one eyehole, and you got through it?' Which statement provides the best interpretation of this metaphor?

• With a lot of luck, every situation turns out exactly as planned.

• If the first attempt fails, don’t hesitate to wish for a lucky break.

• Even when chances are poor, it is possible to succeed.

• Despite things going wrong, there’s no need to worry.

Read lines 14–16 of "Days." The simile in these lines provides the reader with —

• a vivid example of descriptive language

• a comparison of people to stage performers

• a contrast of all the many delicate human emotions

• a visual representation of the precarious nature of life

In "Days," the mood expressed by the language in lines 17–20 is —

• calm

• relieved

• sad

• worried

The imagery in lines 23–24 of "Days" reinforces the idea that people should —

• think about the day with hope and gratitude

• be quiet and reflective throughout the day

• think about all that was good about the past

• be careful when handling fragile objects

The onomatopoeia in the last line of "Days" conveys the idea that —

• people feel exhausted at the end of the day

• life is not as difficult as most people think

• life is more delicate than people recognize

• people should try not to make any noise

Which word best describes the overall tone of "Days"?

• Bittersweet

• Carefree

• Curious

• Overwhelmed

Both poems use contradictory language to express —

• the paradoxes seen in real life

• the changes that occur each day

• the inconsistencies in how people live

• the differences between poets

Which line in "There But for the Grace" expresses hopefulness similar to that expressed in lines 22–23 in "Days"?

• It happened sooner. Later. (line 3)

• Because rain fell. Because a shadow fell. (line 10)

• by sheer coincidence. (line 20)

• There’s no end to my wonder, my silence. (line 23)