When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer

Line 3 (“When I was shown the charts and diagrams, to add, divide, and measure them”) is intended to make clear to a reader that —

• the speaker is fascinated by mathematics

• the speaker is not smart enough to understand the lecture

• the speaker is able to see some errors in the lecturer’s figures

• the speaker is not all that interested in what the lecturer is presenting

The arrangement of the “proofs” and “figures” in line 2 into columns contrasts with —

• the arrangement of the charts and diagrams

• the arrangement of the numbers to be added or divided

• the arrangement of the seating in the lecture hall

• the arrangement of stars in the sky

In what way are lines 1–4 similar? Why does the poet do this?

• All four lines start with the same word.

• All four lines are about hearing.

• All four lines are what the speaker sees.

• All four lines are complete sentences.

The poem’s setting is significant because it helps to contrast —

• city with country

• indoors with outdoors

• earth with sky

• past with future

The tone of the first 5 lines is different from the tone of lines 6, 7, 8, and 9. Which words best describe this change in the speaker’s attitude toward his topic?

• From dissatisfied to disappointed

• From comfortable to anxious

• From annoyed to peaceful

• From interested to bored

In line 6, the word “unaccountable” (which means “unable to be explained”) indicates that —

• the speaker is confused by all the mathematic explanations

• the speaker doesn’t know exactly why he feels “tired and sick”

• the speaker wants to be able to explain astronomical concepts

• the speaker thinks the lecturer is not explaining things clearly