"A Fence or an Ambulance" Mastery Connect

"A Fence or an Ambulance"

by Joseph Malins

Multiple Choice

How do the townspeople respond to the problem of the steep cliff?

• A The townspeople let the wise men of the town decide the solution to the problem.

• B The townspeople disagree on the best solution to the problem.

• C The townspeople ignore the problem, which causes people to be injured.

• D The townspeople work together, which solves the problem of the cliff.

Multiple Choice

Read lines 18-20. “And, if folks even slip and are dropping, It isn’t the slipping that hurts them so much, As the shock down below when they’re stopping.” How does the word choice impact the tone of the poem?

• The word choice creates a casual tone by using rhyming and understatement to give the impression that falling off the cliff is not a serious concern for the townspeople.

• The word choice creates a worried tone by using a metaphor to demonstrate the fears of the townspeople

• The word choice creates a sympathetic tone by using a simile to help the reader understand why a solution is needed for the cliff.

• The word choice creates an anxious tone by using hyperbole and alliteration to give an exaggeration of the dangers of the cliff

Multiple Choice

How do lines 1-8 contribute to the development of the poem?

• A by using dialogue to develop the theme of the poem

• B by introducing the conflict of the poem

• C by characterizing the townspeople as terrified of the dangerous cliff

• D by providing the climax to the townspeople’s arguments about the cliff

Multiple Select

Which two elements of the poem do the pictures help the reader understand?

• A the climax

• B the conflict

• C the dialogue

• D the figurative language

• E the setting

Multiple Choice

What is the meaning of the word mishaps in line 21?

• A accidents

• B debates

• C gatherings

• D wanderers

Multiple Choice

What is the meaning of the word dictate  as it is used in line 38 of the poem?

• A talk down to; humiliate

• B mix something up; confuse

• C give orders to; command

• D argue with; debate

Multiple Choice

How does the group of people in favor of the fence change throughout the poem?

• A from angry with the opposing group to pleased and soothed

• B from motivated to solve the issue to uninterested in the injuries

• C from oblivious about the problem to informed about the solutio

• D from following along with the majority to frustrated and fed up

Multiple Select

Choose two sets of lines from the poem to support the answer in Part A.

• “’Twas a dangerous cliff, as they freely confessed, Though to walk near its crest was so pleasant;” (lines 1-2)

• “But over its terrible edge there had slipped A duke and full many a peasant.” (lines 3-4) >

• “But the cry for the ambulance carried the day, For it spread through the neighboring city;” (lines 9-10)

• “‘Why should people of sense stop to put up a fence, While the ambulance works in the valley?’” (lines 39-40)

• “But a sensible few, who are practical too, Will not bear with such nonsense much longer;” (lines 41-42