View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What was the name of Sylvia Plath's husband?

2. Adrienne Rich practiced which religion?

3. Charles Simic wrote a poem dedicated to which common item?

4. Jorie Graham was raised in which country?

5. Mark Strand was name as the _____ Poet Laureate.

Short Essay Questions

1. Examine Yusef Komunyakaa's background and influences regarding his work.

2. Dave Smith's work has been compared to which famous poets? Discuss Smith's earlier poems and the evolution of his work.

3. Where was Charles Simic born? How did his youth affect his poetry? What themes are often seen in Simic's work? What technique is often used by Simic?

4. Examine the theme of acceptance and the passing of time as it appears in Jorie Graham's work.

5. What unique gift is expressed in Philip Levine's work? What prompted this style and choice of theme? What are some of Levine's poems included in his section?

6. What first inspired Charles Wright to write poetry? Where was Wright at the time? How can Wright's early work be characterized? How did Charles Wright's work evolve?

7. How did Audre Lorde often identify herself? Where was Lorde born? What was Lorde's style?

8. 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?

9. 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?

10. 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.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Although there are common threads between the poets included in this anthology, the poetry in this book varies widely in regards to scope, theme and style. Choose at least five different styles, themes, techniques to examine. Also make note of the use of formal language versus slang or contemporary language. Plot each of the fifteen poems to explain your points and references.

Essay Topic 3

Politics is a common theme through the book. Why do you think poets would choose to write about politics and war in a format that was often related to love and other positive emotions? What issues are addressed in the poetry in the book? Who do you consider to be the most vocal political poet? Explain. What are the top three points the poets try to get across when discussing political matters in poetry? Give examples.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,125 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample