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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is Oliver trying to describe with the lilt in the words in Everything?
(a) Human Nature.
(b) Choices.
(c) Gravity.
(d) Creation.

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

3. What animal was featured in The Measure?
(a) A box turtle.
(b) A squirrel.
(c) A rabbit.
(d) An armadillo.

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

5. What is the subject of Mysteries, Four of the Simple Ones?
(a) Motivations.
(b) Personal identity.
(c) Nature.
(d) Literature.

6. What is the length of most of Oliver's poems in this collection?
(a) A few short stanzas.
(b) Many pages.
(c) Medium in length.
(d) Just a few lines.

7. What is Oliver's most commonly used literary device in these poems?
(a) Metaphor.
(b) Anthropomorphism.
(c) Simile.
(d) Allusion.

8. What should one be transcending according to Everything?
(a) Language.
(b) Nature.
(c) Restrictions.
(d) Barriers.

9. How does the editor describe the thought put into these poems?
(a) Omniscient.
(b) Exuberant.
(c) Microscopic.
(d) Effervescent.

10. What is the main subject of Everything?
(a) Nature.
(b) Poetry.
(c) Love.
(d) Transcendance.

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

12. Which of the following is a line from Work Sometimes?
(a) Those who know need not read longer.
(b) Sameness can be found in any landscape.
(c) You have had days like this, no doubt.
(d) Desire will consume those who don't care to control.

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

14. What does Oliver try to identify at the beginning of Work Sometimes?
(a) A shared experience.
(b) A happy memory.
(c) An identity.
(d) A memorable moment.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. How does the editor describe the language in the first section of poems?

2. Which of these is a line from The Real Prayers are Not the Words, but the Attention that comes First?

3. In Everything, what are we told to do in order to truly grasp the idea of poetry?

4. What does the editor say is Oliver's signature on her work?

5. How does Oliver use plants and animals in her poems?

(see the answer keys)

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