A Gold Miner's Tale

Read this line from the poem:

But I walked away a wiser man.

This line suggests that at the end of the poem the speaker —

• knows how valuable a small amount of gold can be

• realizes the most effective technique for panning for gold

• understands why so many people looked for gold during the gold rush

• gains a new perspective about the outcome of panning for gold

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.5

The repetition of the lines “Water and sand. That’s ALL it takes./Swish your pan. Pick out the flakes!” is used to emphasize the —

• importance of gold mining to the economy

• physical hardships and obstacles faced by miners

• additional tools needed by miners in the goldfields

• false promise that gold mining is an easy way to get rich

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

Read line 37 from the poem:

I should have known better.

From this line, the reader can infer that the speaker feels regret about —

• giving up his search for gold

• leaving his job to prospect for gold

• having the wrong equipment for panning for gold

• taking too long to locate an area to search for gold

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.5

This poem is mostly about a young man who —

• follows people going west in search of gold and tries different locations without success

• looks for a better alternative to a job that he does not enjoy doing and becomes a gold prospector

• goes west in hopes of finding gold and after several unsuccessful attempts finally realizes a better way to earn money

• tries the same method for finding gold and is unsuccessful because of his unwillingness to change

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

The poet’s use of short sentences helps create the poem’s —

• vivid imagery

• rhythm

• tone

• conflict

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5