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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What did the animal in The Measure do when the poet tried to save it?
(a) Hissed at her.
(b) Bit her.
(c) Ran away.
(d) Looked into her eye.

2. What does using nature in her poems allow Oliver to do?
(a) Broaden her range.
(b) Accept responsibility.
(c) Open minds.
(d) Set forth an interpretation.

3. How does the editor describe the language in the first section of poems?
(a) Basic.
(b) Adorned.
(c) Imaginative.
(d) Descriptive.

4. What does Oliver say is NOT praying in The Real Prayers are Not the Words, but the Attention that comes First?
(a) Seeing what has not been seen.
(b) Observing.
(c) Seeing and noticing.
(d) Witnessing with the eyes.

5. What was singing to Oliver in Work Sometimes?
(a) The radio.
(b) The wind.
(c) Street cars.
(d) Robins.

6. In Work Sometimes, what does Oliver say happiness is?
(a) Work ongoing.
(b) Usefulness.
(c) Moments of peace.
(d) A job well done.

7. Which of these words is used by the editor to describe Oliver's style?
(a) Deep.
(b) Colorful.
(c) Rich.
(d) All of these.

8. What does Oliver observe at the end of Work Sometimes?
(a) Nature.
(b) Desire.
(c) Humans.
(d) Literature.

9. How do the characters in Mysteries, Four of the Simple Ones feel about the events in the poem?
(a) They are unexpected.
(b) They are miraculaous.
(c) They are commonplace.
(d) They are frightening.

10. In Work sometimes, which of these does Oliver list as something that happiness is NOT?
(a) A trip to an aunt.
(b) A town on a map.
(c) Work ongoing.
(d) The need to push onward.

11. Why does Oliver like to use her most common literary device?
(a) It comes easily to her.
(b) It is a symbolic form of writing.
(c) It makes her work unique.
(d) It broadens understanding of humans.

12. How is the pond in Mysteries, Four of the Simple Ones described?
(a) Small and shallow.
(b) Black and leafy.
(c) Blue and billowy.
(d) Deep and quiet.

13. What did Oliver do at the end of Work Sometimes?
(a) Went back to work.
(b) Took a nap.
(c) Closed her blinds.
(d) Ran for her life.

14. Why did Oliver choose the simple titles for her poems?
(a) To take the guesswork away from the reader.
(b) To leave the interpretation open.
(c) To guide the reader.
(d) To make her thoughts obscure.

15. What does the editor say is Oliver's signature on her work?
(a) Her tone.
(b) Her method.
(c) Her verbage.
(d) Her description.

Short Answer Questions

1. How is the animal featured in The Real Prayers are Not the Words, but the Attention that comes First described in the first lines?

2. What is Oliver trying to establish an intimacy with in Work Sometimes?

3. What does Oliver call most of her poems?

4. What does the editor say there is an absence of in the first section of poems?

5. What should one be transcending according to Everything?

(see the answer keys)

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