"Improvement" Poem

Which statement represents the theme of the selection?

• Working through life’s problems is gratifying.

• Cleaning the earth makes it beautiful.

• Negative people can ruin the earth.

• Richness comes from hard work.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Which line from the poem refines the theme of the poem?

• •“The joy of life is living it, or so it seems to me”

• “The happiest mortal on the earth is he who ends his day”

• •"Who really knows the happiness and peace of being free”

• “Who seeks for joy, through hedges thick of care and pain must grope”

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

Based on the poem, what can be inferred about the speaker’s point of view?

• •The speaker’s struggles are preventing him from accomplishing anything.

• •The speaker is aware that the world is a cruel place.

• •The speaker wants the best for all people who are good.

• •The speaker’s struggles make him more appreciative when things get better.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

In line 2, what is the meaning of, “In finding shackles on your wrists, then struggling till you’re free”?

• overcoming obstacles before finally achieving one’s goals

• trying something more than once before finally realizing success

• •knowing the right things to say and do in every situation

• •giving a difficult person a chance to start over

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

Why does the poet relate visions to streams in line 4?

• •to explain that dreams and streams work with the established order

• to show that most streams are imaginary and so are most visions

• to explain that a stagnant stream is no better than an unrealized dream

• to show that visions must be put into action and move along like streams

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

Based on lines 5 and 6, the speaker advances which idea in the poem?

• •Every man should be a gardener and enjoy working in the soil.

• •Joy and nature are intertwined and interchangeable.

• •Strive every day to improve yourself and the world around you.

• •All struggles are of equal value and worth.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What is the poet most concerned about in the second stanza?

• •the motivation of people to advance

• the amount of rest a person gets

• making the world perfect again

• •getting rid of negative thoughts

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What effect is achieved through the poet’s use of end rhyme in the selection?

• It prolongs the pace of the poem.

• •It establishes lines of equal length.

• •It creates a regular pattern of meter.

• It causes the reader to stop and think.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

What shift is made in the poem in order to enhance the poet’s perspective?

• from testimonials to characteristics

• •from characteristics to definitions

• from dialogue to highlights

• •from examples to advice

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.11-12.8