The Road Not Taken- Robert Frost

Using evidence from the text, explain what the “roads” symbolize in this poem.

• The roads symbolize choices we face, "Though as for that the passing there

  Had worn them really about the same,"

• The road symbolize the paths we take when we are lost, "And looked down one as far as I could

  To where it bent in the undergrowth"

• The roads symbolize choices we make in life "Oh, I kept the first for another day!

  Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

  I doubted if I should ever come back."

• The roads symbolize a forest with a field to walk in, "I shall be telling this with a sigh

  Somewhere ages and ages hence:"

Which statement best describes how the speaker’s thoughts in lines 9-12 affect the meaning of the poem?

• The speaker admits the roads are really the same, meaning he does not take the road less traveled but wants his choice to seem like it matters.

• The speaker admits the two roads are really the same, indicating that he will grow confused with age and forget his past choices.

• The speaker thinks both roads are actually heavily traveled, meaning that in the end both choices would have led to full lives.

• The speaker thinks he took the road less traveled, but is not sure if it has made any difference in his life

Which statement best describes the significance of lines 13-15 on the meaning of the poem?

• The speaker is not worried he made the wrong choice because he can return to take the other road.

• The speaker is worried he took the more traveled road and will not be able to return to take the less traveled one.

• The speaker understands that taking one opportunity will likely prevent him from going back to take another.

• The speaker believes that he will be able to take all of the opportunities presented to him at some point in life.

Which of the following best describes a theme of the text?

• Sometimes one must make a choice without knowing if it will be best and live with the consequences

• There will always be decisions in life, but one can return and make the decision differently if one makes a mistake.

• Following one’s heart is easier than following one’s head, but since decisions don't really matter it is best to follow one’s heart.

• Making the most common or popular decisions ensures that one will take the correct path through life.

Using evidence from the text, explain the impact of the speaker telling his story with a “sigh” in line 16.

• The speaker is nostalgic, "Oh, I kept the first for another day!” (Line 13), which shows his fondness for returning again.

• The speaker is regretful, “sorry he could not travel both” roads (Line 2), which demonstrates his sadness at not being able to make a different choice

• The speaker is joyful, "And having perhaps the better claim,

  Beacause it was grassy and wanted wear" (line 7), illustrates his happiness at seeing such a beautiful piece of land.

• The speaker is depressed, "And sorry I could not travel both

  And be one traveler, long I stood" (line 2), explains why he hasn't been able to move on because he is so sorry.