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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. In what year did Swenson move to New York?

2. In what year was the position established?

3. Duncan was linked to the _______ poets.

4. Garrigue was influenced by which famous composer?

5. "The Day Lady Died" refers to which of the following women?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the purpose of the anthology? Who is involved? What are the criteria for the poets? How do these poets reflect the popularity and talent of twentieth century poets?

2. 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.

3. Discuss some of Denise Levertov's themes as well as potential influences on her work and her life.

4. Discuss the varied activities of James Dickey and the one thing that supposedly changed his life. What are some of the themes involved in Dickey's work?

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

6. 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?

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

8. Which major award was won by W. D. Snodgrass? How might Snodgrass' poems be described?

9. Give a brief description of Jean Garrigue's life and work.

10. Why is Robert Penn Warren considered to be one of the country's most famous poets? What position did Warren hold in the 1960s?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

William Meredith and Robert Pinsky both believed that effective poetry could be created by focusing on ordinary things. However, those ordinary things were mixed with extraordinary language. Why is it important to use unusual words or a combination of words as a powerful tool to create vivid poetry? How do Meredith and Pinsky accomplish this task? Why are these tools and techniques valuable? What can be learned from employing these techniques in reference to topics that might otherwise seem mundane?

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the following:

1.) What is the poetic form known as the epigram? Name a famous poem written in this form. Detail the form's structure, content, and requirements. What parts of the poem are open for creative license and interpretation? Write at least four distinct examples of an epigram, using four different topics.

2.) What is the poetic form known as the quatrain? In Marilyn Hacker's "The Ballad of Ladies Lost and Found," the poet used this form. Name at least three other famous poems written in this form. Detail the form's structure, content, and requirements. What parts of the poem are open for creative license and interpretation? Write at least one example of a quatrain, with a minimum of 30 lines.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the opinions of one poet from each section. Choose poets that are the most unique or have views not shared by the others. You may reference outside sources for information as long as sources are cited. Use at least one passage from each poet's work to support your opinion and/or argument.

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