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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Oliver say she wants readers of Everything to look beyond?
(a) The page.
(b) The meaning.
(c) The words.
(d) The lines.

2. What are we told to examine in Everything?
(a) Our desires.
(b) Our needs.
(c) Our motivations.
(d) Our emotions.

3. What had stacked up on the table in Work Sometimes?
(a) Work.
(b) Papers.
(c) Books.
(d) All of these.

4. How was the poet traveling when she saw an animal in The Measure?
(a) She was walking along.
(b) She was riding a bike.
(c) She was swimming.
(d) She was driving a car.

5. Which of these is a line from The Real Prayers are Not the Words, but the Attention that comes First?
(a) How does one see and turn away.
(b) How can we be as they?
(c) Where does it go and why?
(d) Where can we turn for peace?

6. What kind of hands does Oliver hope to write her poetry with?
(a) Busy hands.
(b) Rough hands.
(c) Useful hands.
(d) Quiet hands.

7. What poet did Oliver live with for a time?
(a) Millay.
(b) Marvel.
(c) Merril.
(d) Miller.

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

9. How does Oliver describe her poetry in Everything?
(a) Her art.
(b) Her children.
(c) Her creation.
(d) Her message.

10. How is the animal featured in The Real Prayers are Not the Words, but the Attention that comes First described in the first lines?
(a) Robust.
(b) Soaring.
(c) Small.
(d) Gentle.

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

12. What is Oliver trying to establish an intimacy with in Work Sometimes?
(a) Herself.
(b) Her God.
(c) The reader.
(d) A man.

13. What else does the editor say there is an absence of in the first section of poems?
(a) Personification.
(b) Obscure references.
(c) Allusions.
(d) Confusing similes.

14. What did Oliver say she was outside of while writing Work Sometimes?
(a) Her intended purpose.
(b) Her authentic self.
(c) Her usual style.
(d) Her natural setting.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the editor say new readers of Oliver will feel when they read the first section?

2. What amazing event happens to the catbird in Mysteries, Four of the Simple Ones?

3. What kind of citizen did the poet call the animal in The Measure?

4. What is the first plant talked about in Mysteries, Four of the Simple Ones?

5. What is Oliver trying to describe with the lilt in the words in Everything?

(see the answer keys)

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