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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through The Solitary Reaper.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the "sickle" in line 28?
(a) A sharp cutting tool.
(b) A handle used to pull a cart.
(c) A tied sheaf of grain.
(d) A mark dyed into wool to track sheep.

2. In the second stanza, to whom is the nightingale depicted singing?
(a) The reaper.
(b) Shepherds.
(c) The speaker.
(d) Travelers.

3. In the fourth stanza, when the speaker finally places himself in the scene, what is it clear he is there to do?
(a) He is delivering supplies.
(b) He is there to confess his love for the woman.
(c) He is working on a farm.
(d) He is out walking.

4. Where are "the farthest Hebrides" (line 16)?
(a) Chile.
(b) Russia.
(c) Australia.
(d) Scotland.

5. In line 4, "Stop here, or gently pass!" what is the grammatical mood of the words "stop" and "pass"?
(a) Indicative.
(b) Interrogative.
(c) Imperative.
(d) Subjunctive.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which stanza could be reasonably called the most positive in tone?

2. Besides that the reaper may be singing about some terrible moment in history, what else does the speaker guess she might be singing about?

3. How does line 3, "Reaping and singing by herself," interrupt the poem's dominant metrical pattern?

4. In which stanza does the speaker make it clear that this event happened some time in the past?

5. Who is the author of "The Solitary Reaper"?

(see the answer key)

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