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

2. What type of rhyme is employed in line 20, "From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won"?
(a) Identical rhyme.
(b) Eye rhyme.
(c) Near rhyme.
(d) Internal rhyme.

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

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

5. 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) Storm or upheaval.
(c) Battle or confrontation.
(d) A thorough sorting or sifting.

Short Answer Questions

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

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

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

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

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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