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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 causes the soldiers to fall into step and to arm themselves?
(a) Enemies.
(b) Drum taps.
(c) Guns.
(d) Drill sergeants.

2. _________ sprouts push through the snow, helping to reveal the coming of Spring and of the month of March.
(a) Green.
(b) Small.
(c) New.
(d) Wet.

3. Which is the ancient country which Whitman seems to think is progressing into the future, much in the same way as America?
(a) India.
(b) Somalia.
(c) China.
(d) Japan.

4. What is the powerful machine which is moving through the snow with its vapor-pennants tinged with delicate purple?
(a) Locomotive.
(b) Wagon.
(c) Car.
(d) Steam engine.

5. Where does Whitman decide to merge with the crowd when they descend to the pavements?
(a) Boardwalk.
(b) Ice rink.
(c) Beach.
(d) Broadway.

Short Answer Questions

1. To whom is Whitman referring when he talks about the estuary which enlarges and spread itself grandly in the great sea?

2. What do mediums convey when they arrive and they are successful in the United States, according to Whitman?

3. The metaphor of __________ is used in relation to the plowman, tilling to life, while the harvester harvests in the end.

4. Who are the tan faced children who follow well in order and get their weapons ready?

5. What are the felons wearing when they come into the courtroom as Whitman watches them out of curiosity?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Whitman point out happens no matter how many advancements science has made?

2. To whom does Whitman appear to give his spirit to, though this person is never mentioned by name in a poem?

3. How does Whitman describe Paumanok in the spring when he writes the poem "Sea-Drift"?

4. To whom does Whitman compare the country of old Ireland, in his poem to this land?

5. Why is it sad when one of the birds in a couple dies and the other one does not know it?

6. What does Whitman question about the world when he sees the felons being shackled and held in the court?

7. How is the plowman used in reference and as a metaphor for death in Whitman's poem?

8. What does a muse beckon Whitman to do in the beginning of these poems in this section?

9. What are some of the signs of spring that Whitman lists in the poem, "Warble for Lilac-Time"?

10. What does the song have to include in itself in order to be considered universal?

(see the answer keys)

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