Billy Collins Introduction to Poetry

Read the excerpt from "Introduction to Poetry" by Billy Collins.

or walk inside the poem's room
and feel the walls for a light switch.

How does this metaphor reveal Collins’s message?

• The metaphor suggests that poetic themes are serious and dark.

• The metaphor suggests that readers should explore poems in depth.

• The metaphor insists that readers should move about while reading.

• The metaphor insists that one must know the poet to understand the poem.

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How does the figurative language in this excerpt reveal Collins’s message?

• It suggests that poems have fun, sporty themes.

• It suggests that readers take time to meet poets.

• It suggests that readers have fun exploring poetry.

• It suggests that poems are easy to understand.

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Read the excerpt from "Introduction to Poetry" by Billy Collins.

They begin beating it with a hose
to find out what it really means.

How does the figurative language in this excerpt reveal Collins’s message?

• It criticizes the way some readers try to understand a poem.

• It criticizes the violent themes found in modern poetry.

• It suggests that the study of poetry requires physical strength.

• It suggests that every poem has a simple meaning.

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Introduction to Poetry: (1) I ask them to take a poem (2) and hold it up to the (3) light like a color slide (4) or press an ear against its hive. (5) I say drop a mouse into a poem (6) and watch him probe his way out, (7) or walk inside the poem’s room (8) and feel the walls for a light switch. (9) I want them to waterski (10) across the surface of a poem (11) waving at the author’s name on the shore. (12) But all they want to do (13) is tie the poem to a chair with rope (14) and torture a confession out of it. (15) They begin beating it with a hose (16) to find out what it really means. by Billy Collins

In this poem, the speaker focuses on how poetry should

• pose a challenge to be overcome

• present opinions rather than facts

• provide insight into everyday life

• be experienced rather than analyzed

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Introduction to Poetry: (1) I ask them to take a poem (2) and hold it up to the (3) light like a color slide (4) or press an ear against its hive. (5) I say drop a mouse into a poem (6) and watch him probe his way out, (7) or walk inside the poem’s room (8) and feel the walls for a light switch. (9) I want them to waterski (10) across the surface of a poem (11) waving at the author’s name on the shore. (12) But all they want to do (13) is tie the poem to a chair with rope (14) and torture a confession out of it. (15) They begin beating it with a hose (16) to find out what it really means. by Billy Collins

• arouse the curiosity of readers

• remind readers of childhood experiences

• appeal to the reader's sense of sight and hearing

• evoke an emotional and physical response from the reader

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Introduction to Poetry: (1) I ask them to take a poem (2) and hold it up to the (3) light like a color slide (4) or press an ear against its hive. (5) I say drop a mouse into a poem (6) and watch him probe his way out, (7) or walk inside the poem’s room (8) and feel the walls for a light switch. (9) I want them to waterski (10) across the surface of a poem (11) waving at the author’s name on the shore. (12) But all they want to do (13) is tie the poem to a chair with rope (14) and torture a confession out of it. (15) They begin beating it with a hose (16) to find out what it really means. by Billy Collins

• insight

• courage

• comfort

• enjoyment

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Who wrote the poem?

• Colin Bills

• William Connolly

• Billy Collins

• Colin William

Answer explanation

Pen-in-mouth (solid poet look)

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What is the main theme of Billy Collins' 'Introduction to Poetry'?

• Exploring poetry with curiosity

• Analyzing poetry critically

• Memorizing poetry lines

• Ignoring the poet's intent

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In 'Introduction to Poetry', what does the metaphor of 'holding a poem up to the light like a color slide' suggest?

• Poems should be memorized

• Poems should be examined closely

• Poems are transparent

• Poems are colorful

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What literary device is predominantly used in 'Introduction to Poetry' by Billy Collins?

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Alliteration

• Personification

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