"The House by the Side of the Road"

Reread lines 1-2 in the poem. What quality is suggested by the word hermit?

• isolated

• lonely

• saddened

• sneaky

What do lines 1-8 reveal about the speaker?

• He desires to live somewhere by himself.

• He enjoys the opportunity to observe other people.

• He longs for the opportunity to discover new places.

• He understands those who do not appreciate solitude.

What does the speaker mean by the phrase "I would not sit in the scorner's seat" as it is used in line 13?

• He realizes it is important for him to point out the mistakes of others.

• He thinks it is difficult to be surrounded by weaker men.

• He feels others are missing out on life because they are waiting for directions.

• He knows it is not his place to judge because he is no better than his fellow men.

How does the repetition of the phrase "And be a friend to man" in lines 8, 16, 24, and 40 impact the meaning of the poem?

• It reinforces the speaker's desire to have harmonious interactions with those he encounters in life.

• It reveals the speaker's motivation in choosing a place to live that is close to the activities of a town.

• It conveys the speaker's effort to educate younger generations on how to treat the people in their lives.

• It communicates the speaker's attempts to meet new people and develop stronger relationships.

How do lines 17-24 bring attention to the point of view of the speaker?

• by describing his desire to offer assistance to those who are sad due to their struggles

• be describing his acceptance of the different reactions when men face challenges

• by describing his fascination with getting acquainted with other people

• by describing his awareness of the problems his friends face

What central theme is expressed in lines 25-28?

• Everyone's futures will have both easy days and difficult days.

• It is difficult to travel long distances without becoming lonely.

• Men can find peace by exploring the nature around them.

• Most people focus only on the negative events in their lives.

According to lines 33-40, what does the speaker think of his fellow men?

• All men are affected by the negativity in the world around them.

• All men can learn from mistakes made in their youths.

• All men have something to offer and can thrive when supported by others.

• All men need places to rest and recover after long days of working.