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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What do they walk by?
(a) Cat.
(b) Dead flowers.
(c) Railroad.
(d) Orphanage.

2. In what year was the poem written?
(a) 1954.
(b) 1949.
(c) 1951.
(d) 1961.

3. In what city is the poem set?
(a) New York.
(b) San Jose.
(c) Paris.
(d) Guadalajara.

4. How does Ginsberg feel about the use of a particular weapon by government?
(a) Hates it.
(b) Doesn't care.
(c) Wants one.
(d) Supports it.

5. Ginsberg sees the racks as being created to keep what together?
(a) Dry cleaning.
(b) People.
(c) Trunks.
(d) Coats.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is with Ginsberg in the poem?

2. Ginsberg believes that America is which of the following?

3. Which of the following is not a place where the boy searches for solace?

4. What is overwhelming to Ginsberg?

5. What is the weapon?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does Ginsberg work in this poem? What is his position? What are people waiting for?

2. What is an asphodel? How does it compare to Ginsberg's concept of desire?

3. What is one of the main themes in this poem? To what does Ginsberg compare the flower?

4. What are the setting and characters featured in the poem? What is the main activity?

5. What childhood memory of politics does Ginsberg recall? How do those memories affect the present?

6. What path of thought does the item inspire?

7. How should one behave in the giving and receiving of love? Where does this habit originate?

8. When was AN ASPHODEL written and what is the main theme of the poem?

9. Aside from housing personal baggage, what does Ginsberg believe is the purpose of the racks?

10. In what room in his apartment does the poet talk about his needs? What is his condition?

(see the answer keys)

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