The Walrus and the Carpenter

1. Read these lines from stanza 3: 

The sea was wet as wet could be, 

  The sands were dry as dry. 

The author’s use of a simile in this sentence conveys to the reader that the  

setting-- 

• 1. has a realistic description of a beautiful beach. 

• 4. creates a silly tone. 

• 3. feels hot and like a desert. 

• 2. is out in the middle of the ocean. 

2. Read these lines from stanza 7: 

The eldest oyster winked his eye, 

   And shook his heave head-- 

Meaning to say he did not choose  

   To leave the oyster-bed. 

What does the author’s use of personification emphasize? 

• 1. The oyster thought the Walrus was cute. 

• 2. The oyster said that the Walrus should not be trusted. 

• 3. The oyster knew better about what might happen. 

• 4. The oyster was too tired to move. 

3. What does the author achieve by using exaggeration in these lines of stanza 9? Choose two. 

And thick and fast they came at last,  

    And more, and more, and more--- 

• 1. The author emphasizes that many oysters fell for the Walrus’s trick 

• 5. The author reveals that the waves were getting larger and rushing in. 

• 4. The author highlights how quickly oysters can travel. 

• 3. The author implies that many oysters didn’t think before they acted. 

• 2. The author conveys that many oysters live in the ocean. 

4. Read this line from stanza 11: 

And why the sea is boiling hot-- 

What does the author’s use of figurative language in this line suggest? 

• 1. The sea is very hot because it is summertime. 

• 3. The Walrus likes to discuss strange topics. 

• 4. The Sun was heating up the water after the Moon got mad at him. 

• 2. The Walrus was trying to distract them from knowing he was preparing to cook them. 

What is the most likely reason the poet uses personification throughout the poem? 

• 4. To use the actions of a person to teach a lesson through animals.

• 3. To produce emotions that only animals can create.

• 2. To compare the actions of walruses with people.

• 1. To show how animals can affect each other.

In lines 79 to 82 (stanza 14), the author uses personification most likely to emphasize that the Oysters feel ______.

• 1. tricked by the Walrus and the Carpenter. 

• 4. cold and would like to be warmed up. 

• 3. like they are coming down with an illness. 

• 2. happy that they went on the walk. 

What effect do the lines “If seven maids with seven mops / Swept it for half a year / Do you suppose” … / ”That they could get it clear”? (25-28) have on the poem?

• They make it a math problem.

• They make it obvious that the beach is impossible to clean up.

• They make it funnier.

• They make it sadder.

What does the eldest Oyster winked his eye, shook his head, and did not leave the oyster-bed imply?

• He is working with the Walrus and Carpenter.

• He is too lazy to go.

• He knows what will happen to the oysters.

• He has an eye twitch.

What is the effect of such lines as, “The sea was wet as wet could be” (line 13), “Their [the Oysters’] coats were brushed, their faces washed, / Their shoes were clean and neat” (lines 45-46), and “And all of us [the Oysters] are fat!” (line 70) have on the overall tone of the poem?

• These lines create a chaotic, evil tone.

• These lines create a serious tone.

• These lines create a somber tone.

• These lines create a light, humorous tone.

What effect do lines such as “We can begin to feed.’/ ‘But not on us!’ the Oysters cried,/Turning a little blue.” and “But answer came there none —/And this was scarcely odd, because/ They’d eaten every one.” have on the tone of the poem’s resolution?

• They make the tone serious and somber.

• They make the tone completely hilarious.

• They make the tone darkly humorous.

• They make the poem sad and dreary.