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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 form does poetry "coming to claim you" take in "Zombie"?

2. What is the robot designed to do in the section of "Plasticene Suite" titled "Little Robot"?

3. What does the speaker implore the rain to do in "Tracking the Rain"?

4. In what way is a wolf courteous in "Short Takes on Wolves"?

5. What format does Atwood use for the poem "The Aliens Arrive"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What play on words does Atwood introduce in the poem "Plasticene Suite"?

2. What are some of the speaker's worries in the poem "Oh Children"?

3. What does the speaker in the poem "Little Robot" worry the robot might do?

4. What is the relationship between zombies and the past in Atwood's poem "Zombie"?

5. What tense does not exist at the conference in the poem "At the Translation Conference" and why?

6. What are the two things "he" is afraid of in "Fear of Birds"?

7. What should have been inside the dead bird instead of plastic in the poem "Midway Island Albatross"?

8. What is the problem in the old story of the Sorcerer's Apprentice in the poem by the same name?

9. What are the advantages of having a spider in the house in the poem "Spider Signatures"?

10. In quoting Rilke, what does Atwood say about poetry?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Which poems in this collection could be viewed as a sort of speculative fiction - a genre Atwood is known for - and why? Write an essay explaining your answers.

Essay Topic 2

How does Atwood treat the topic of plastics in Parts IV and V of this collection? Why are plastics so harmful and destructive, according to Atwood? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay exploring the different meanings and feelings Atwood assigns to different textiles in the poem Princess Clothing.

(see the answer keys)

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