Comprehension Quiz: The Raven

1. 1. Which of the following best describes the interaction between the speaker and the raven in "The Raven"?

• A. The raven repeatedly utters one word, "Nevermore," which the speaker interprets in various ways as a comment on his life.

• B. The speaker at first welcomes the raven into his home, but he grows terrified of it and eventually chases it off.

• C. The speaker lets the raven into his home because he believes it knows his beloved, Lenore, and he wishes for news of her.

• D. The speaker lets the raven into his home because it reminds him of his beloved, Lenore, and he wishes to reminisce about her.

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2. 2. What does the speaker in "The Raven" feel when he first thinks that Lenore may be at his door?

• A. joy and passion

• B. relief and pleasure

• C. confusion and melancholy

• D. terror and hope

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3. 3. In which of the following situations would entreating be most appropriate?

• A. when discussing the clues to a difficult puzzle

• B. when boasting about a personal accomplishment

• C. when begging a friend to accept an apology

• D. when providing information or directions to a visitor

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4. 4. If a person were to implore a friend to accompany her, which of the following actions would most likely occur?

• A. She would scold, "I dare you to come with me."

• B. She would suggest, "I hope you will enjoy coming with me."

• C. She would explain, "I know you will enjoy coming with me!"

• D. She would plead, "I really, really want you to come with me!"

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5. 5. If someone can be described as beguiling, which of the following must be true?

• A. The person is boring.

• B. The person is charming.

• C. The person is athletic.

• D. The person is unpleasant.

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1. 6. Read the following stanza from “The Raven.

But the Raven still beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,

Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird, and bust, and door;

Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking

Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore—

What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore

Meant in croaking, “Nevermore.”     

Which aspect of this stanza most clearly adds to the feeling of tension or dread in these lines?

• A. the addition of a number of descriptive words to "ominous bird of yore" in the fifth line, suggesting a growing frenzy

• B. the rhyme of "beguiling" and "smiling" in the first line and "sinking" and "linking" in the third line, suggesting a growing sadness

• C. the series "bird, and bust, and door" in the second line, suggesting a clear progression toward madness

• D. the use of the word croaking in the last line, suggesting a growing fear of the raven

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7. 7. Which of the following pieces would be the climax in the poem The Raven?

• a. On a dark, December night, a man is dozing in his chair.

• b. The man is distraught over the loss of his love, Lenore. Suddenly, he hears a knocking at his chamber door.

• c. After a lengthy conversation with his surprise visitor (a raven), he asks if he will ever see Lenore again. The bird responds, "Nevermore."

• d. Angry with the bird's answer, the man kicks him out. He is overcome with sadness and longing for his lost Lenore.

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