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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. How many snakes are seen by the narrator in 'The Snakes'?

2. In 'Fish', where is the fish when he dies?

3. What does the narrator of 'Blackwater Woods' say a man must love?

4. How does the narrator describe her thoughts in the third part of 'Little Sister Pond'?

5. How does the narrator describe the movement of the creature described in the second part of 'Little Sister Pond'?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the narrator of 'The Plum Trees' say happiness must be tempted?

2. What is the first big question asked of the reader in 'Tecumseh'?

3. What does the narrator of 'Crossing the Swamp' find in the swamp?

4. What three things does the narrator of 'In Blackwater Woods' say all men must do?

5. What does the narrator of 'The Roses' compare the blooming of the roses to?

6. What is the question asked at the end of 'The Garden'?

7. What happens in the sixth part of 'Little Sister Pond'?

8. What does the narrator say mankind is nourished by in 'The Fish'?

9. What sad event happens in the second part of 'Something'?

10. What are the snakes compared to in 'Snakes'?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many mother and daughter relationships were described in this collection of poems. What were some of these highlighted relationships, and how did they affect Oliver and her writing?

Essay Topic 2

What role does symbolism play in these poems and where does it appear? How is the tone and meaning of the poems altered by the presence of these symbols?

Essay Topic 3

What were some of the questions asked in 'The Gardens' and how did their unanswered status affect the tone of the poem?

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