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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which city was the center of the great poetry Renaissance?

2. In which year did Merrill win the Pulitzer Prize?

3. "Degrees of Gray in Philipsburg" discusses what type of mine?

4. Who served as the first Poet Laureate of the United States?

5. In what year did Swenson move to New York?

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss the varied activities of James Dickey and the one thing that supposedly changed his life. What are some of the themes involved in Dickey's work?

2. Discuss some of Denise Levertov's themes as well as potential influences on her work and her life.

3. Which major award was won by W. D. Snodgrass? How might Snodgrass' poems be described?

4. Name at least one of the main themes that can be seen in James Merrill's work. What is Merrill's genre? List some of the poems included in Merrill's section.

5. Why is Robert Penn Warren considered to be one of the country's most famous poets? What position did Warren hold in the 1960s?

6. What major theme was often used in James Wright's work? What major award did James Wright win for his work?

7. What is the purpose of the anthology? Who is involved? What are the criteria for the poets? How do these poets reflect the popularity and talent of twentieth century poets?

8. What were some of the unusual jobs held by Robert Creeley? Who were Creelye's influenecs? How does Creeley feel about speaking to his readers?

9. Discuss the wide variety of jobs held by Richard Wilbur. Also discuss Wilbur's style and the poems in which the style is exhibited in this collection.

10. What was Allen Ginsberg's first major success? What made Ginsberg into an iconic poet?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss juxtaposition and how it might help or hinder a poet's work. How does one choose the appropriate items or subjects to juxtapose? Write two poems - one with effective juxtaposition and one where the juxtaposition fails to make the poem interesting, distinct, or understood. Also examine at least one of the poems included by Allen Ginsberg and Charles Simic to better understand the use of juxtaposition.

Essay Topic 2

Morals and shared values are a common theme throughout the book. For example, Amy Clampitt uses morality is a chief theme and Ellen Bryant Voigt's poems are referred to as being "moralistic." Examine how the poets use their work to share their ideas on morality. Do you think the poets simply want to express their opinions on certain moral issues or are they trying to impose moral beliefs on the reader? Choose one poem each from Clampitt and Voigt to support your opinions and insights.

Essay Topic 3

Politics is a common theme through the book. Why do you think poets would choose to write about politics and war in a format that was often related to love and other positive emotions? What issues are addressed in the poetry in the book? Who do you consider to be the most vocal political poet? Explain. What are the top three points the poets try to get across when discussing political matters in poetry? Give examples.

(see the answer keys)

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