Mastery Check #2: Understanding & Analyzing Poetry

What does the speaker ask the readers to do with a poem?

• Hold it up to the light like a color slide

• Tie it to a chair and torture it

• Ignore it

• Burn it

What metaphor does the speaker use to describe exploring a poem?

• Walking inside a room and feeling for a light switch

• Climbing a mountain

• Swimming in the ocean

• Flying a kite

What is the speaker's attitude towards how people usually treat poems?

• Critical of their harsh methods

• Supportive of their analysis

• Indifferent to their approach

• Encouraging of their curiosity

What activity does the speaker compare to reading a poem?

• Waterskiing across the surface

• Hiking through a forest

• Diving into a pool

• Running a marathon

What do people want to do to a poem, according to the speaker?

• Tie it to a chair and torture it

• Gently explore its meaning

• Admire its beauty

• Discuss it with friends

What does the speaker want students to do when they read a poem?

• Analyze every word for hidden meanings

• Have fun and explore the poem’s images and sounds

• Memorize the poem for a test

• Ignore their own feelings and focus only on facts

What poetic device is used in the line, "I want them to waterski across the surface of a poem"?

• Simile

• Personification

• Metaphor

• Hyperbole

What does the phrase "press an ear against its hive" suggest?

• The poem is buzzing with activity and sound

• The poem is dangerous and should be avoided

• The speaker wants the reader to destroy the poem

• The poem is filled with bees

The tone of the poem can best be described as:

• Angry and frustrated

• Playful and encouraging

• Sad and mournful

• Cold and detached

What is the main message of the poem?

• Poetry should be studied scientifically

• People should read poetry with patience and curiosity

• Poetry is too difficult to understand

• All poetry has only one correct interpretation