"The Precious Pearl" Poem Questions

Part A: Which represents a theme of the poem?

• That which is most important in life is often overlooked.

• Competition brings out the worst in people.

• Childhood pleasures are often short-lived and unappreciated.

• Maturity and knowledge grow with age.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Part B: Which set of lines from the poem supports the theme selected in Part A?

• “Once, the mighty waves of ocean, Washed to shore, a precious pearl. Tossed it, hidden half with seaweeds, To our dingy, sordid, world—” (lines 1-4)

• “On the beach, four little children, Each engaged in sportive play, Piling sand, or hunting seashells, Idly, passed the time away.” (lines 5-8)

• “Lastly came the fourth child meekly, And the precious pearl he found, Joyfully, he grasped the jewel, Flung his seashells to the ground.” (lines 21-24)

• “Ah! how many grown up children, Figuring in the play of life, In the search of gold or pastime, Slight the Pearl of Greatest Price.” (lines 29-32)

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

Read lines 1-4 from the poem.

"Once, the mighty waves of ocean, 

Washed to shore, a precious pearl. Tossed it, hidden half with seaweeds, To our dingy, sordid, world—"

How does the poet’s word choice affect the meaning of the poem?

• It suggests that the pearl was accidentally lost in the ocean.

• It highlights the brilliancy of the ocean and its seaweed. 

• It emphasizes the contrast between the pearl and the world.

• It explains how the pearl first entered the world.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

Which set of lines from the poem supports the idea that the children did not realize that the pearl was valuable?

• “Once, the mighty waves of ocean, 

  Washed to shore, a precious pearl.” (lines 1-2)

• “In his lack of understanding, 

  Found, but tossed the pearl away.” (lines 11-12)

• “Then, anon, his brother found it, 

  Treasured it away with mirth,” (lines 13-14)

• “And his wise consideration 

  Fruitful compensation earned.” (lines 27-28)

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.5

What do lines 21-24 reveal about the fourth child?

• He wanted to leave the beach and head home.

• He was delighted to have found the pearl.

• He was bored with searching for seashells.

• He wanted to trade his seashells for the pearl.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

Which phrase from the poem provides context for the meaning of the word spurned as it is used in line 26?

• ...tossed the pearl away. (line 12)

• ...burdened down with seashells (line 15)

• ...he grasped the jewel, (line 23)

• ...his wise consideration (line 27)

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

Look at the photograph of a pearl in an oyster shell.

How does the photograph help the reader understand the poem?

• by showing the reader the characters of the poem

• by providing historical context for the poem to the reader

• by conveying the tone of the poem to the reader

• by allowing the reader to picture the subject of the poem

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.7

CCSS.RI.7.7

CCSS.RL.6.7

CCSS.RL.7.7

CCSS.RL.8.7