"Long Ago"

Based on the speaker’s specific observations of nature, what can be inferred?

• The speaker spent a great deal of time playing outdoors as a child.

• The speaker wanted to forget the memories of his childhood.

• The speaker remembered the forest differently than he is experiencing it currently.

• The speaker imagined a magical place while telling a story to his son.

Part A: What is a theme of the poem?

• People often find comfort in spending time outdoors.

• Wisdom comes from childhood experiences.

• People often long to return to the happiness of childhood.

• It is important to pass on memories to the next generation.

Part B: Which set of lines from the poem supports the theme of "People often long to return to the happiness of childhood"?

• “I knew where thrived in yonder glen

  What plants would soothe a stone-bruised toe—” (lines 5-6)

• “Oh, I was very learned then;

  But that was very long ago!” (lines 7-8)

• “Yet here’s this youngster at my knee

  Knows all the things I used to know;” (lines 21-22)

• “I’d wish to be a boy again,

  Back with the friends I used to know;” (lines 29-30)

What idea does the poet communicate through the word choice in line 15?

• The speaker had a pet bird as a child.

• The speaker was well-acquainted with the area.

• The speaker owned the land on which he was walking.

• The speaker studied plants and animals in his youth.

Which line from the poem provides context for the meaning of the word pining as it is used in line 17?

• “And all the woods and crows knew me—” (line 15)

• “I tread the old familiar spot” (line 18)

• “I have forgotten, am forgot.” (line 20)

• “Yet here’s this youngster at my knee” (line 21)

In which two ways do lines 17-24 contribute to the poem’s theme?

• They suggest that the speaker is sentimental about his son’s youth.

• They suggest that the speaker wishes to forget his difficult childhood.

• They suggest that the speaker feels inadequate compared to his son.

• They suggest that the speaker regrets the decisions he has made in life.

• They suggest that the speaker feels resigned over his current place in life.

What event causes the speaker to reflect on his life?

• His son tells him of his adventures in the forest.

• He believes the end of his life is drawing nearer.

• He visits a familiar place from his youth.

• His son asks him to recall a happy memory.

How do lines 25-32 fit into the structure of the poem?

• by contrasting the ideas presented at the start of the poem

• by explaining and describing the problems established in the poem

• by showing the timeline of events conveyed throughout the poem

• by summarizing and concluding the thoughts expressed in the poem

Which quotation from the poem shows the reader that the speaker felt comfortable in nature?

• “For every flower I had a name—

  My friends were woodchucks, toads, and bees;” (lines 3-4)

• “Oh, I was very learned then;

  But that was very long ago!” (lines 7-8)

• “I knew the rushes near the mill

  Where pickerel lay that weighed a pound!” (lines 11-12)

• “I tell you what my wish should be:

  I’d wish to be a boy again,” (lines 28-29)