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. 

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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. 

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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. 

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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. 

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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