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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Oliver compare picking the right words to in Mysteries, Four of the Simple Ones?
(a) Threading a needle.
(b) Growing a garden.
(c) Sorting money.
(d) Picking fruit.

2. How are the poems in this book grouped together?
(a) By subject matter.
(b) By publishing date.
(c) By random order.
(d) By length.

3. What is Oliver's most commonly used literary device in these poems?
(a) Anthropomorphism.
(b) Allusion.
(c) Simile.
(d) Metaphor.

4. Why does Oliver like to use her most common literary device?
(a) It is a symbolic form of writing.
(b) It broadens understanding of humans.
(c) It comes easily to her.
(d) It makes her work unique.

5. How does the editor describe the language in the first section of poems?
(a) Descriptive.
(b) Basic.
(c) Imaginative.
(d) Adorned.

6. What were the eyes of the animal compared to in The Real Prayers are Not the Words, but the Attention that comes First?
(a) Microscopes.
(b) Glass.
(c) Worlds.
(d) Water.

7. How does Oliver say Everything first came to her?
(a) A dream.
(b) A vision.
(c) A quiet whispering.
(d) A moment of calm.

8. What is the first plant talked about in Mysteries, Four of the Simple Ones?
(a) Roses.
(b) Barley.
(c) Corn.
(d) Wheat.

9. Which of these words is used by the editor to describe Oliver's style?
(a) Colorful.
(b) Deep.
(c) Rich.
(d) All of these.

10. What amazing event happens to the catbird in Mysteries, Four of the Simple Ones?
(a) Hatching eggs.
(b) Building a nest.
(c) Learning to fly.
(d) Finding a mate.

11. What kind of hands does Oliver hope to write her poetry with?
(a) Rough hands.
(b) Quiet hands.
(c) Useful hands.
(d) Busy hands.

12. What did Oliver do at the end of Work Sometimes?
(a) Went back to work.
(b) Took a nap.
(c) Ran for her life.
(d) Closed her blinds.

13. Why did Oliver choose the simple titles for her poems?
(a) To take the guesswork away from the reader.
(b) To guide the reader.
(c) To make her thoughts obscure.
(d) To leave the interpretation open.

14. What does Oliver try to provide multiple avenues for in her poems?
(a) Thought provocation.
(b) Interpretation.
(c) Modality.
(d) Tonality.

15. In Work sometimes, which of these does Oliver list as something that happiness is NOT?
(a) A town on a map.
(b) A trip to an aunt.
(c) Work ongoing.
(d) The need to push onward.

Short Answer Questions

1. What had stacked up on the table in Work Sometimes?

2. How was the poet traveling when she saw an animal in The Measure?

3. In Work Sometimes, what does Oliver say happiness is?

4. What are we told to examine in Everything?

5. What poet did Oliver live with for a time?

(see the answer keys)

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