"Poplars" by Edward Bliss Reed [STAAR 7th 2017]

In the first stanza, the poet suggests that one reason the poplar is not useful is that it —

• loses its leaves in the fall.

• does not provide much protection for others.

• does not grow very tall.

• grows in areas where few other things live.

The poet uses personification in the fourth stanza to describe the poplar’s attempt to —

• attract visitors.

• remain active.

• provide directions to others.

• resist being moved by the wind.

Line 1 is important to the poem because it helps —

• introduce a familiar setting.

• describe the speaker.

• create imagery.

• establish the mood.

In stanza 2, the poplar is described mainly as —

• cautious.

• envious.

• curious.

• arrogant.

Why is the last stanza important to the poem?

• It suggests that the poplar may become a desirable tree.

• It shows how a poplar copes with its situation.

• It implies that the poplar wants to be a unique tree.

• It provides an explanation for the size of a poplar.

By describing qualities that the poplar lacks, the poet emphasizes —

• why the poplar is unappealing to others.

• how the poplar is affected by its environment.

• why the poplar grows near different types of trees.

• how the poplar finds relief from its problem.