Quiz: Icarus's Flight (poem)

1. What is MOST unusual about the structure of the poem? RL5             

• A  It does not have a consistent rhyme scheme.
• B  It is organized into five stanzas. 
• C  Capitalization and punctuation are missing. 
• D  Sentences extend downward from one stanza into the next.

2. In the first line, the poet asks, “What else could the boy have done?” What answer is the poet give the reader? RL1

• A  He could have flown lower.        
• B  He could have flown farther.        
• C  There is nothing else he could have done.        
• D  He could have stayed in the garden.

3. What does the poet mean by “the exact point where freedom stopped” (lines 4–5)? RL4       

• A  the point at which Icarus could no longer fly.    
• B  the point at which Icarus decided to fly.
• C  the point at which Icarus plunged into the sea. 
• D  the point at which the shepherd and farmer could no longer see him 

4. What does the poet mean by “his anticipated plummeting” (line 7)? RL4

• A  Icarus knew that he would eventually fall.
• B  Icarus was surprised by his fall. 
• C  Icarus regretted trying to fly.
• D  Icarus knew that people were watching him. 

5. What is the best statement of the poem’s theme or message? RL2        

• A  Test your limits to learn what’s possible.
• B  Practice moderation in all things. 
• C  Be content with what you have.
• D  Work hard to prepare for the future.

6. What language device or structure does the poet use to communicate his message? RL5 

• A  sentence fragments
• B  rhyme and repetition 
• C  comparison and contrast
• D  question-and-answer

7. What does the poet suggest by the lines “to flutter ignorantly / from petal to petal within some garden” (lines 12–13)?   RL4

• A  a busy, fulfilled life 
• B  a dull, boring life
• C  a life of peace and harmony 
• D  a life of freedom and escape

8. Which phrase from the poem best expresses what Icarus gained from his flight? RL2

• A  “downward plunge” 
• B  “point of wisdom”
• C  “just far enough” 
• D  “upward escape”

9. Which word best describes the poet’s attitude toward Icarus? RL4

• A critical
• B dismissive 
• C admiring
• D questioning 

10. What is the “cushion” referred to in line 20? RL2

• A  the sea into which Icarus fell.      
• B  the wings that disintegrated as Icarus fell. 
• C  the disappointment Icarus felt when he fell. 
• D  the knowledge Icarus gained from his flight.