1. Whom do the water striders try to teach to walk on water?
(a) Other insect species.
(b) Young water striders.
(c) People.
(d) Small mammals.

2. What words does the poet specifically use when he uses this literary device?
(a) Glimmering, gleaming, glowing.
(b) The firefly dances like the dancers in Degas' paintings.
(c) The light-hearted actions of the firefly is an allegory of spring.
(d) The firefly lights up the entire night sky.

3. "Grasshoppers" describes the grasshoppers' _______________ movements and energy.
(a) Slow.
(b) Bounding.
(c) Circular.
(d) Lazy.

4. How do the water striders react to the consequences of trying to teach others to walk on water?
(a) Angered.
(b) Worried.
(c) Surprised.
(d) Annoyed.

5. How do the mayflies spend their time?
(a) Frantically flying about.
(b) Eating.
(c) Sleeping.
(d) Lazily flying about.

Short Answer Questions

1. After the results of the water strider's attempts to teach others to walk on water, why might the water striders want to continue "teaching" others to walk on water?

2. Unlike "Grasshoppers," "Water Striders" is from the perspective of whom?

3. Where do the grasshoppers hop?

4. What is the mood of "Fireflies?"

5. The poet compares the firefly to what?

(see the answer key)

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