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. Which of the following is a main theme in Amy Clampitt's work?
(a) Self.
(b) Morality.
(c) God.
(d) Death.

2. Sylvia Plath wrote a poem in honor of God's lioness _____.
(a) Bast.
(b) Ariel.
(c) Demeter.
(d) Ilsa.

3. Mary Oliver is considered to be one of the best ____ poets.
(a) Realist.
(b) Idealist.
(c) Surrealist.
(d) Naturalist.

4. Mary Oliver believed that the majority of her poems were ______.
(a) Flawless.
(b) Awkward.
(c) Epiphanies.
(d) Visionary.

5. Which poet wrote "The Old Cosmologists?"
(a) Gluck.
(b) Palmer.
(c) McPherson.
(d) Ryan.

Short Answer Questions

1. Michael Palmer's poetry is said to use a(n) ______ abstraction.

2. Mark Strand was born in which country?

3. Which of the following words is not used to describe Wright's work?

4. Which poet works at Johns Hopkins University?

5. Kay Ryan and her work are compared to all but which of the following women?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Sharon Olds categorized as a poet? What words are best used to describe Olds' work? What are some of Olds' most common themes?

2. What themes are most often seen in Gary Snyder's work? What does Snyder credit with helping him focus on the inner world?

3. What prompted Anne Sexton to begin writing poetry? What was Sexton's style? What are some characteristics of Sexton's style?

4. Who was the biggest influence in Sylvia Plath's life? When did they meet? What type of work is most often related to Plath? Plath is often grouped with which poets?

5. What type of work did Richard Howard produce? Examine Richard Howard's fascination with the figures of 19th century high society. Also list some of the poems contained in his section.

6. Heather McHugh's poem, "The Typewriter's the Kind," tells the story of a writer sitting in front of a type writer. Discuss the meaning of the poem and which passage best describes what McHugh is feeling about her work.

7. Discuss Michael S. Palmer's poem "H." what is the main theme of the poem? Does the reader get a clear vision of Palmer's insight? What might the poem mean?

8. Discuss the rhyme and tone of "Ballad of Ladies Lost and Found." Who are some of the people mentioned in the poem? What is the rhyme scheme? What form does Hacker use in this poem?

9. Discuss Amy Clampitt's early career. What are some of Clampitt's themes?

10. How does Michael S. Harper incorporate his heritage into his work? What was Harper's biggest influence? What themes commonly appear in his poetry? List some of Harper's poems that appear in this book.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,103 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample