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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. What does it mean that the people are "exulting"?
(a) They are crying out in grief.
(b) They are drinking and celebrating.
(c) They are cheering excitedly.
(d) They are quietly watchful.

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

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

4. By which other term, besides "Captain," does the speaker address the captain of the ship?
(a) Brother.
(b) Leader.
(c) Master.
(d) Father.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the most accurate way to describe the poem's stanza form?

2. The list of ways the crowd is celebrating the arrival of the ship in lines 9-12 is an example of which technique?

3. Line 4, "While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring," contains examples of which techniques?

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

5. In context, the literal meaning of the word "rack" in line two is which of the following?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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