The Ocean

In the first two stanzas, the speaker describes the depths of the ocean as...

• chaotic and dangerous.

• tranquil and ghostly.

• dark and empty.

• lively and religious

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

In the third and fourth stanzas, the speaker compares...

• death and life on the high seas.

• the boredom of life to the excitement of death.

• the filth of the earth to the purity of oceans

• The worries of land to the peacefulness of the sea

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

PART A: Which TWO of the following statements best express a theme of the poem?

• The ocean is haunted by mysterious creatures.

• Death brings peace after the violent struggles of life.

• The sea is a more peaceful resting place than earth.

• Sailors come to fear death by sea over time.

• It is better to die adventurously than live meekly.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

PART B: Which TWO of the following phrases from the poem best support the answer to Part A?

• “Though there be fury on the waves / Beneath them there is none.” (Lines 3-4)

• “The awful spirits of the deep / Hold their communion there” (Lines 5-6)

• “And there are those for whom we weep, / The young, the bright, the fair.” (Lines 7-8)

• “The ocean solitudes are blest / For there is purity.” (Lines 11-12)

• “But peaceful sleep is ever there, / Beneath the dark blue waves.” (Lines 15-16)

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

What is the effect of the juxtaposition in lines 13-16 on the meaning of the poem?

• It shows that the earth is loud and chaotic while the ocean has been silenced.

• It shows that the earth has been silenced, while the ocean is loud in a way people cannot hear.

• It shows how the earth is plagued by life’s troubles, but the ocean is free from such worries.

• It shows that the ocean allows people to escape from their painful reality.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5