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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Long Afternoon at the Edge of Little Sister Pond, what does Oliver say the tree angel is watching over?

2. What kind of creature did Oliver write about in Song of the Builders?

3. What is unique about the format of On Goldenrod at Field's Edge?

4. What season is recalled in Prose Poem 1?

5. Which of these is a line from Seven White Butterflies?

Short Essay Questions

1. Which authors does Oliver mention in Seven White Butterflies, and why?

2. In May, what does Oliver say she wants to see?

3. What does Oliver state she can't wait for at the end of Long Afternoon at the Edge of Sister Pond?

4. In May, what does Oliver say makes her feel most alive?

5. How is Prose Poem 2 worded, and what effect does this have on the reader?

6. What are the two extremes Oliver describes about her life in Long Afternoon at the Edge of Sister Pond?

7. What is Oliver admonishing the reader to do in How Would You Live Then?

8. In Grass, what does Oliver say nature does?

9. What is the main message of Song of the Builders?

10. In While I am Writing a Poem to Celebrate Summer, the Meadowlark Begins to Sing, what does Oliver compare the meadowlark's song to?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Solitude was something that Mary Oliver sought for often in this book. Where did she find it, and how did this solitude affect her writing style?

Essay Topic 2

What role does symbolism play in these poems, and what are some of the major symbols presented?

Essay Topic 3

Nature and its power is a huge theme in this book. What are some of the main examples of this theme and how does this affect the tone of the poems?

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