Poetry Warm up

Do you ask what the birds say? The sparrow, the dove, The linner and thrush1 say, “I love and I love!” In the winter they’re silent — the wind is so strong; What it says, I don’t know, but it sings a loud song. But green leaves, and blossoms, and sunny warm weather, And singing, and loving — all come back together. But the lark2 is so brimful3 of gladness and love, The green fields below him, the blue sky above, That he sings, and he sings; and for ever sings he — “I love my Love, and my Love loves me!”

Which of the following best describes a major theme of the text?

• A. Love is fleeting, like the seasons, and can be hard to hold on to.

• B. Nature can teach humans how to be open about their feelings.

• C. A part of growing up means learning what love really is.

• D. The joyful songs of birds can inspire listeners to think of love.

Do you ask what the birds say? The sparrow, the dove, The linner and thrush1 say, “I love and I love!” In the winter they’re silent — the wind is so strong; What it says, I don’t know, but it sings a loud song. But green leaves, and blossoms, and sunny warm weather, And singing, and loving — all come back together. But the lark2 is so brimful3 of gladness and love, The green fields below him, the blue sky above, That he sings, and he sings; and for ever sings he — “I love my Love, and my Love loves me!”

Which of the following quotes best supports your answer to question 1?

• A. "Do you ask what the birds say?" (Line 1)

• B. "In the winter they're silent — the wind is so strong" (Line 3)

• C. "But the lark is so brimful of gladness and love" (Line 7)

• D. "That he sings, and he sings; and for ever sings he" (Line 9)

Do you ask what the birds say? The sparrow, the dove, The linner and thrush1 say, “I love and I love!”

What does the repetition of "I love" suggest about the speaker's point of view?

• A. The speaker thinks the child's question is silly and invents an equally silly response.

• B. The speaker sees the natural world through a playful and imaginative lens.

• C. The speaker expresses contempt for those who cannot stop talking about love.

• D. The speaker is reminded of all the love they experienced in their younger days.

Line 9 -That he sings, and he sings; and for ever sings he..

The speaker's use of rhythm in line 9 creates a feeling of…

• A. love and obsession.

• B. strength and endurance.

• C. carefreeness and bliss.

• D. satisfaction and calm.