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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. What are compared to black blossoms in 'Blossom'?

2. Why must bodies be held back in 'Humpbacks'?

3. In 'Fish', what does the fish refuse to do?

4. In 'Humpbacks', what does the narrator say holds the most allure for people?

5. How many humpbacks are near the boat in 'Humpbacks'?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do the fish do in the secret pools in 'Climbing the Chagrin River'?

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

3. What does the narrator of 'Morning at Great Pond' say the coming morning renews in her at the Great Pond?

4. What do the lovers in 'Something' do?

5. What is the narrator's head full of in 'Blackberries'?

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

7. How does the narrator say a person would know Tecumseh if they saw him?

8. What do the lovers in 'Something' hear?

9. What does the narrator of 'Little Sister Pond' compare the moon to?

10. What does the narrator do in the second part of 'The Garden'?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Oliver puts a huge emphasis on optimism in many of these poems. Which poems presented this idea, and how did they differ in the way each presented this theme?

Essay Topic 2

Diversity was a major theme in this book as many different lifestyles and ranks in society were described. How was this theme shown in this book, and why do you think the author felt it was so important?

Essay Topic 3

Despair was a theme that was placed in a number of sensitive places in these poems. What are some of these places, and what role did despair play in this book?

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