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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. The town doctor in one of the assumptions is _____.

2. What is Buzz Green's previous profession?

3. Who remarks that American poetry could not help but get better and better?

4. According to Hugo, Valery says that when words are used to convey information, they _____.

5. Hugo states that the earth takes its configurations from the _____.

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Hugo say to "think small" when writing a poem?

2. Describe Hugo's advice on hard work when writing poetry.

3. What is Hugo's impression of Roethke's demeanor?

4. In what way does Hugo feel that young poets find it difficult to free themselves from the initiating subject of a poem?

5. Describe the two outcomes of the annual picnic in the triggering town.

6. What happens in the assumption where the outcast returns?

7. Is anybody insane in the triggering town?

8. Describe the schoolhouse in the triggering town and who teaches there.

9. Why are people suspicious of Hugo in the assumption about couples?

10. What happens to Hugo when he lives in New York in one assumption?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What are Hugo's thoughts on having a stance in writing a poem? What examples does he give regarding stance and how does the presence or absence of a stance determine the poem's effectiveness?

Essay Topic 2

Why does Hugo say that Roethke is a dangerous teacher? How has his teaching influenced the author? How has his teaching influenced David Wagoner?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the difference between Hugo's assessment of what he calls Krebs and Snopes poets. Where do these two references come from? Why does Hugo say that they relevant to poetry writing?

(see the answer keys)

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