AnswersIA-English Language Arts 11 AJonathan Edwards’s "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God"

Walt Whitman’s "Song of Myself" Answers

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Read the excerpt from "Song of Myself."Long enough have you dream’d contemptible dreams,Now I wash the gum from your eyes,You must habit yourself to the dazzle of the light and of every moment of your life.Long have you timidly waded holding a plank by the shore,Now I will you to be a bold swimmer,To jump off in the midst of the sea, rise again, nod to me, shout, and laughingly dash with your hair.What theme is suggested by this excerpt?

A
People should be brave, take risks, and embrace all aspects of life.
B
People should be careful when taking chances that they can handle the outcome.
C
People should take the time to appreciate the beauty that surrounds them each day.
D
People should be lighthearted and carefree and avoid taking life too seriously.
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How do the images of travel in part 46 of "Song of Myself" contribute to the poem’s theme?

A
They suggest that human life is impermanent.
B
They show that growth involves a steady movement forward.
C
They remind readers that the poem is about journeying within one’s self.
D
They suggest expansiveness, or extending one’s reach outward.
3

Read the line from "Song of Myself."For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you. What is the effect of the word “atom” in this line and later in the poem?

A
It emphasizes the narrator’s belief that every parcel of the Earth belongs to everyone.
B
It suggests that the narrator values science over spirituality.
C
It emphasizes the narrator’s belief that people should give away all of their belongings.
D
It suggests that the narrator values nature over material objects.
4

Read the quotation from "Song of Myself."I celebrate myself, and sing myself, And what I assume you shall assume, For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you. Which statement best explains why Whitman chose the phrase “every atom” for the last line?

A
to emphasize the seriousness of his words
B
to suggest attention to detail, heightening trustworthiness
C
to remind readers to remember the basic makeup of natural objects
D
to remind readers to embrace a microscopic view of the natural world
5

Which of the following statements best describes the effect of the long lines in "Song of Myself"?

A
They remind the reader of the speaker’s liberty and self-confidence.
B
They allow the poet to describe scenes in less detail.
C
They slow down the forward progression of the poem.
D
They increase the narrative quality of the poem.
6

Read the quotation from "Song of Myself."I know I have the best of time and space, and was never measured and never will be measured.How does this line support the theme of the poem?

A
It reflects Whitman’s exceedingly high opinion of himself.
B
It shows Whitman’s love of life and of experience.
C
It indicates Whitman’s perception that he is above others’ judgment.
D
It reflects Whitman’s ideas about the unlimited capacity of the self.
7

The sections of "Song of Myself" approach one subject from several different angles. How does this technique reflect the main theme of the poem?

A
It shows the complicated nature of the world.
B
It indicates the need for one to think deeply about one’s flaws.
C
It corresponds to the idea that the self is all-encompassing.
D
It supports the notion of concern for one’s friends and family.
8

Read the quotation from "Song of Myself."You will hardly know who I am or what I mean, But I shall be good health to you nevertheless, And filter and fibre your blood.Why does Whitman use such a simple phrase as “who I am or what I mean”?

A
He is concerned that readers won’t understand his poem.
B
He wants to communicate directly with readers.
C
He is unable to express his thoughts in any other style.
D
He wants to vary the language of the poem.
9

Read the quotation from "Song of Myself."I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable, I sound my barbaric yawp over the roofs of the world.Which statement best describes how these lines reflect the general structure of the poem?

A
Just as the poem has a loose, open structure, these lines display personal freedom.
B
The lines reflect the difficult and impenetrable nature of certain parts of the poem.
C
The lines evoke the aggressive tones expressed elsewhere in the poem.
D
The lines indicate an attention to urban settings expressed elsewhere in the poem.
10

Which characteristic makes "Song of Myself" a free verse poem?

A
the presence of a strong theme
B
the absence of a consistent rhythmic structure
C
the use of images from nature and everyday life
D
the presence of a definite voice

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