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

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

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

4. How many poems are in the first section?
(a) 52.
(b) 42.
(c) 22.
(d) 32.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of the following is a line from Work Sometimes?

2. What is the subject of Mysteries, Four of the Simple Ones?

3. What color were the eyes of the animal in The Real Prayers are Not the Words, but the Attention that comes First?

4. What was a joy to the animal featured in The Real Prayers are Not the Words, but the Attention that comes First?

5. What were the eyes of the animal compared to in The Real Prayers are Not the Words, but the Attention that comes First?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Mary Oliver compare the hawk in The Real Prayers are Not the Words, but the Attention that Comes First to when it was in the grass?

2. What does Oliver say she wants to honor with her poem, Everything?

3. In Mysteries, Four of the Simple Ones, what does Oliver say about the pond?

4. How did Oliver feel at the end of Work Sometimes?

5. What parts of grammar does Oliver say she wants to cherish in Everything, and why?

6. What does Oliver think the turtle was heading for in The Measure?

7. In The Measure, what does Mary Oliver say her watched over life resulted in and why?

8. In Mysteries, Four of the Simple Ones, what does Oliver ask about a seed grain?

9. In The Real Prayers are Not the Words, but the Attention that Comes First, what does Mary Oliver state the real method of praying should be?

10. In The Measure, what does Oliver say happens to the lives that are watched over?

(see the answer keys)

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