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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Section 1: "O Captain! My Captain!" lines 1-24.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which technique is evident in line 10, "Rise up—for you the flag is flung—for you the bugle trills"?
(a) Antithesis.
(b) Anaphora.
(c) Antistrophe.
(d) Antimetabole.

2. In context, the literal meaning of the word "rack" in line two is which of the following?
(a) Storm or upheaval.
(b) Battle or confrontation.
(c) A metal rod used for hanging things.
(d) A thorough sorting or sifting.

3. In context, the word "fearful" in line 1 indicates that the trip was which of the following?
(a) A metaphor for an internal struggle.
(b) The cause of the captain's death.
(c) A bad idea from the beginning.
(d) Full of frightening obstacles.

4. Who is the speaker of the poem?
(a) A sailor.
(b) A soldier.
(c) A doctor.
(d) A writer.

5. Which technique is evident in the phrase "for you the flag is flung" (line 10)?
(a) Alliteration.
(b) Assonance.
(c) Sibilance.
(d) Cacophony.

Short Answer Questions

1. The poem's title and first line contain an example of which technique?

2. What is the rhyme pattern of the first four lines of each stanza?

3. What does it mean that the people are "exulting"?

4. What does the phrase "swaying mass" refer to (line 12)?

5. Which is the best interpretation of line 9, when the speaker urges "O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells"?

(see the answer key)

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