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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Charles Wright wrote an homage to which famous painter?
(a) Monet.
(b) Renoir.
(c) Manet.
(d) Cezanne.

2. Michael Harper wrote a poem dedicated to which famous musician?
(a) Holliday.
(b) Miller.
(c) Coltrane.
(d) Armstrong.

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

4. Philip Levine was greatly impacted by which war?
(a) Spanish War.
(b) War of the Roses.
(c) Korean War.
(d) World War II.

5. Dave Smith has developed a poetic voice often referred to as the ____ self.
(a) Distorted.
(b) Second.
(c) Inner.
(d) Repressed.

Short Answer Questions

1. Marilyn Hacker previously worked as a salesperson. Which item did Hacker sell?

2. In Louise Gluck's "Messengers" which of the following seems to be waiting for the poet?

3. What famous poet first inspired Charles Wright?

4. Which poet wrote the poem titled, "Ebb Tide?"

5. Richard Howard worked as a writer and editor of dictionaries. What is the proper name for a person who has that job?

Short Essay Questions

1. Jay Wright had a way of combining facts about various cultures and relating them to his heritage. Discuss Wright's heritage and how he celebrated the accomplishments of others.

2. 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?

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

4. 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.

5. Who is Robert Pinsky's main influence? What is Robert Pinsky's goal regarding his poetry? What topic most interests Pinsky? How does Pinsky get his point across?

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

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. Examine Kay Ryan's opinion on inevitable change. What point is Ryan attempting to make?

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

(see the answer keys)

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