Dream Horses and Nightmares Test Prep

Which statement best explains the structure of each poem? (RI5)

• "Dream Horses" presents comparisons of three horses to three types of dreams in the second, third, and fourth stanzas, whereas "Nightmares" presents a general comparison of one horse to a dream in the first stanza and then extends the comparison in the stanzas that follow.

• "Dream Horses" uses the first and last stanzas to represent a wakeful state and the middle three stanzas to represent a sleeping state, whereas "Nightmares" represents a wakeful state throughout the poem.

• "Dream Horses" alternates between comparisons of different horses to different types of dreams throughout, whereas "Nightmares" presents contrasting images of horses in the first and last stanzas.

• "Dream Horses" uses horses to contrast pleasant dreams in the first two stanzas with unpleasant dreams in the last three stanzas, whereas "Nightmares" uses only negative comparisons of horses to dreams throughout.

Tags

RI5

What is the central idea presented in the poem "Dream Horses"? (RI2)

• Dreams are most vivid when the dreamer is an adolescent.

• Dreams can reveal different parts of a dreamer’s personality.

• Dreams help a person make sense of real-life experiences.

• Dream environments can be more appealing than actual places.

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RI2

In paragraph 10 of "Dream Horses", the text states

Never Tame Me shies at the sight of a saddle,

bare as a wave with her rocking gait when we gallop on the dark meadows.

What does the word gait mean?

• walk

• step

• tread

• all of the above

Read line 14 from "Dream Horses." The rim of the sea is her fence. Which characteristic of Never Tame Me is emphasized by this figurative language? (RI4)

• her ability to hide

• her graceful movement

• her love of nature

• her adventurous spirit

Tags

RI4

Part 1: What central idea about nightmares is emphasized in the poem "Nightmares"? (RI2)

• Nightmares often bring to mind unsettling images from nature.

• Nightmares occur less frequently than pleasant dreams.

• Nightmares are uncommon for the speaker.

• Nightmares are most frightening when they include animals.

Tags

RI2

Part 2: Which lines from the poem best support this central idea? (RI1 and RI2)

• "Some say the nightmare is / a horse"

• "a sea / where storms have made the waves / so big"

• "I do not know / what nightmares are"

• "they do not come as often as / the pretty horse"

Tags

RI1 and RI2

Which aspect of nightmares is most emphasized by the repetition of the phrase "Some say the nightmare is" in the first two stanzas of "Nightmares"? (RI5)

• the difficulty of explaining the experience of a nightmare

• the fact that having nightmares is a frequent occurrence

• the similarities in how people describe their nightmares

• the sudden wakefulness that comes when a nightmare ends

Tags

RI5

Which statement best describes the change of tone in the final stanza of "Nightmares"? (RI4)

• It changes from reflective to reassured.

• It changes from doubting to knowing.

• It changes from frustrated to content.

• It changes from frightened to amused.

Tags

RI4

Explain how the last line of "Dream Horses" is related to the overall meaning of the poem. Use at least two specific details from the poem to support your response.

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RI4

Look back at the poems "Dream Horses" and "Nightmares" and the passage "The Quest for Nessie." They all explore the idea of mystery. Explain how this idea is developed in the poems and the passage on Nessie. Be sure your response explains how all three texts explore the idea of mystery and uses specific details from the texts to support your response.

Tags

RI4