The End and The Beginning Quiz

Which words convey the hard work involved in “cleaning up” after a war?

• splintered, rubble, rags

• push, mired, drag

• scum, ashes, glass

• need, straighten, glaze

What is the significance of the “corpse-filled wagons” in line 7?

• After the war, people have no cars and must use wagons.

• Even animals are affected by war, such as the horses pulling the wagons.

• The war has caused many deaths

• Wagons are traditionally used for funerals

What does the image of “sofa springs” in line 11 represent?

• the debris remaining on a battlefield after fighting has ended

• the toll that war takes on the lives of ordinary people

• the lack of rest for those involved in cleaning up after a war

• the ability of people to “spring” back after a war

The poet hints at the idea that war creates economic (financial) hardship through her description of

• doors being rehung

• bridges and stations being constructed.

• people talking about the past.

• sleeves getting ragged from being rolled up.

Which statement expresses the major point of lines 18–21, “Photogenic it’s not . . .”?

• Every war results in casualties

• Most victims of war move rather than rebuild.

• The world loses interest once the fighting stops.

• There is always a war being fought.

To which element of the poem does the repetition of the word “someone” contribute?

• tone

• characterization

• conflict

• setting

Why does the poet use the phrase “unsevered head” in line 29?

• to repeat the “s” sound for emphasis

• to show how enthusiastically the listener nods

• to startle readers with a reminder of those who didn’t survive the war

• to show that the identity of the listener is not important

What idea is conveyed by lines 37–42, “Those who knew / what was going on here / must make way for / those who know little. / And less than little. / And finally as little as nothing”?

• Each generation learns less than the one before.

• The horror of war is gradually forgotten over time.

• Young people have no interest in the wisdom of their elders.

• War does not solve people’s problems.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.10

In the last stanza, what has the grass covered?

• the rubble piled high

• the reasons for the war and its consequences

• the graves of the victims of the war

• the “rusted-out arguments” under the bushes

In this poem, the use of free verse helps the poet create a rhythm that is

• forceful

• monotonous

• conversational

• fast-paced

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.11