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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. The poem's title and first line contain an example of which technique?
(a) Personification.
(b) Simile.
(c) Apostrophe.
(d) Synechdoche.

2. Which term describes the poem's repeated use of the phrases "O Captain! My Captain!" (lines 1 and 9) and "fallen cold and dead" (lines 8, 16, and 24)?
(a) Verse.
(b) Conceit.
(c) Refrain.
(d) Chorus.

3. In the second quatrain of the second stanza, what becomes clear about the speaker's state of mind?
(a) He is afraid that he is in some way responsible for the captain's death.
(b) He hopes to hide the captain's death from the crowd.
(c) He has not fully accepted the captain's death.
(d) He is actually asleep and only dreaming of the captain's death.

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) Storm or upheaval.
(d) A thorough sorting or sifting.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Line 6, "O the bleeding drops of red," is an example of which technique?

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

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

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

5. Which details in the second stanza evoke a patriotic occasion?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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