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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. This book is made to be read by ___________ people simultaneously.

2. What words does the poet specifically use when he uses this literary device?

3. What do the two lice spend this poem doing?

4. Humans can _________________ over people and things, much like the moth in "The Moth's Serenade."

5. According to this poem, what do the book lice and the moth have in common?

Short Essay Questions

1. How are other animals like humans? What human qualities do other animals have?

2. How does the poet use words to make the movement of the firefly more exciting and vivid? Do you think this is effective? Why or why not?

3. How does a mayfly feel at the end of its life? Why?

4. What is the purpose of this book?

5. How is the structure of the poem "Grasshoppers" reminiscent of the movement of the grasshoppers?

6. What feelings are evoked by the grasshoppers? Why?

7. How are mayflies and fireflies similar?

8. What is "Joyful Noise?" Why might the poet find this joyful?

9. How does the mayfly's perception of time compare to our own?

10. Why are mayflies so frantic, according to this poem?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are many insect species described in this book.

Part 1) After reading these poems, to which species do you feel most connected? Why? How has this book changed your attitude toward this species? Why?

Part 2) Which species would you add, if you were the poet? Why? How might this species compare to those already included in this book?

Part 3) How do these species represent all insects? Are all types of insects adequately represented? If so, how? If not, why not?

Essay Topic 2

The poet chooses to write a book about insects.

Part 1) What might be the poet's opinion of insects? How does this book reflect this?

Part 2) What might have been the poet's purpose for writing these poems? What other subjects might the poet be interested in? Why?

Part 3) If you were to write a book of poetry, about what would you write? Why? How might this affect those who would read your poems? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Famous authors' names are mentioned in "Book Lice."

Part 1) How do these famous authors' names get mentioned in this poem? Why might the poet have decided to include these famous authors in this poem? Does this enhance the poem in any way? Why or why not?

Part 2) What information might be helpful prior to reading this poem? Why? How might this information effect one's ability to understand "Book Lice" and the differences between these two different lice?

Part 3) How important is it to learn about famous authors and artists? Explain. Would the author of this book agree with you? Why or why not?

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