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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Line 6, "O the bleeding drops of red," is an example of which technique?
(a) Oxymoron.
(b) Conceit.
(c) Metonymy.
(d) Imagery.

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

3. What is the rhyme pattern of the first four lines of each stanza?
(a) ABAC.
(b) ABCB.
(c) ABBA.
(d) AABB.

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

5. Which details in the second stanza evoke a patriotic occasion?
(a) The bouquets and wreaths.
(b) The crowd and the shore.
(c) The flag and bugle.
(d) The captain and the bells.

Short Answer Questions

1. Line 5, " But O heart! heart! heart!" is an example of which technique?

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

3. What feature of the Captain's face does line 17 focus on?

4. What is a "keel" (line 4)?

5. Which technique is evident in the phrase "for you the flag is flung" (line 10)?

Short Essay Questions

1. What evidence is there that the speaker is struggling to understand and process the captain's death?

2. What ironic contrast do the poem's images highlight?

3. Describe the form of "O Captain! My Captain!"

4. What elements of the poem's diction establish a warm and personal relationship between the speaker and the captain?

5. Explain the allegorical nature of the poem's central conceit.

(see the answer keys)

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