View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who served as the first Poet Laureate of the United States?
(a) Hayden.
(b) Garrigue.
(c) Warren.
(d) Olson.

2. Which of Cunningham's poems it the first to appear in his section?
(a) "To My Wife,"
(b) "For my Contemporaries."
(c) "Middle Passage."
(d) "A Century of Epigrams."

3. Duncan's work is different because it is considered to be more ____.
(a) Visionary.
(b) Concrete.
(c) Surreal.
(d) Abstract.

4. Which of the following was not a job held by Wilbur?
(a) Teacher.
(b) Conductor.
(c) Lyricist.
(d) Editor.

5. Which of the poets had a Hasidic Russian rabbi for a father?
(a) Kizer.
(b) Hugo.
(c) Levertov.
(d) Bowers.

Short Answer Questions

1. From which university did Theodore Roethke graduate?

2. Cunningham's work was referred to as being cool and _____.

3. Which was not one of Cunningham's jobs?

4. Merrill was known for writing in which type of verse?

5. In which city was Robert Hayden born?

Short Essay Questions

1. Howard Moss is best known for working with which iconic magazine? What is Moss' style? List some of the poems written by Moss and included in this book.

2. Examine Robert Duncan's childhood and how it affected his career.

3. What major theme was often used in James Wright's work? What major award did James Wright win for his work?

4. Name at least one of the main themes that can be seen in James Merrill's work. What is Merrill's genre? List some of the poems included in Merrill's section.

5. Give a brief overview of John Berryman's life. Also note Berryman's influences, style, and common topics covered in his work. How did critics review Berryman's work?

6. What prestigious position did Carolyn Kizer hold? Who greatly influenced Kizer's work? What major award did Kizer receive?

7. Discuss some of David Wagoner's influences and inspirations. How is Wagoner's work characterized?

8. What is unusual about W.S. Merwin's choice of career? What are some of the main topics and/or themes often used by Merwin?

9. Give a brief overview of Robert Lowell's life and work as a poet. What were Lowell's main topics? Which techniques did he favor when writing poetry? Also list at least four of Lowell's poems.

10. Discuss the poets listed in the first section. Examine at least one of the topics two or more of the poets have in common.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,015 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample