Walt Whitman/Vocab Review

What is the “singing” that the speaker hears in “I Hear America Singing”?

• the language of different ethnic groups in the American melting pot

• the songs from foreign lands brought to America by immigrants

• the individuality of Americans in various walks of life

• the poetry of Whitman and other American poets

What group of workers does Whitman focus on in “I Hear America Singing”?

• office clerks

• housewives

• musicians

• laborers

In the preface to the 1855 edition of Leaves of Grass, Whitman states, “The United States themselves are essentially the greatest poem.” What does he cite to support his opinion?

• the rhythmic speech patterns of Americans

• Americans’ respect for literary traditions

• his own popularity as an American poet

• the vitality and diversity of Americans

Based on the following passage from the preface to the 1855 edition of Leaves of Grass, identify what is most clearly suggested about Whitman’s attitude toward the past.

America does not repel the past or what it has produced under its forms or amid other politics or the idea of castes or the old religions … accepts the lesson with calmness … is not so impatient as has been supposed that the slough still sticks to opinions and manners and literature while the life which served its requirements has passed into the new life of the new forms….

• Whitman recognizes that Americans learn from the past while making a new way of life.

• Whitman thinks that Americans should include a study of the past in their education.

• Whitman wishes that Americans would give more honor to traditions of the past.

• Whitman believes that Americans have nothing to learn from the past.

What is the best interpretation of this excerpt from “Song of Myself”?

These are really the thoughts of all men in all ages and lands, they are not original with me, / If they are not yours as much as mine they are nothing, or next to nothing….

• Whitman admits that he has borrowed poetic ideas from writers of the past.

• Whitman thinks that his poetry is valuable only if his readers agree with him.

• Whitman believes that his observations are, in some sense, universally shared.

• Whitman predicts that people who read his poetry in the future will appreciate it.

In which circumstance is it most accurate to describe a harvest as prolific?

• when insects have destroyed the crops

• when there is an especially abundant output

• when enough laborers are available to collect it

• when most of the seeds in the ground produce plants

If a person witnesses multitudes, which of the following must be true? Base your answer on the meaning of multitudes.

• An amazingly emotional experience has begun.

• An unusually shocking event has transpired.

• An incredibly beautiful scene has occurred.

• An extremely large crowd has gathered.

If a city street can correctly be described as teeming, which of the following must be true? Base your answer on the meaning of teeming.

• It is covered in snow.

• It is swarming with people.

• It has traffic going both ways.

• It is in desperate need of repair.

The word multilevel contains the Latin combining form multi-. Choose the example that most clearly illustrates the meaning of multilevel. Base your answer on your knowledge of the combining form multi-.

• the height of a river during flood stage in spring

• the presidency or chairmanship of a major company

• a delicately balanced mobile hanging from a ceiling

• a terraced garden with stairs connecting various flat surfaces

The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B.

Part A If a corporation is multinational, which is most likely to be true? Base your answer on your knowledge of the combining form multi-.

• The corporation produces goods in several countries.

• The corporation specializes in a domestic product.

• The corporation is based in a nation’s capital.

• The corporation is as large as a small nation.