Poem 'Snake'

Why does the poet include the words "though the books say/it can't be done" in lines 5 and 6?

• To hint that the speaker enjoys learning about nature

• To show that the speaker knows her encounter with the snake is unusual

• To imply that the speaker is an argumentative person

What does the break between stanzas 2 and 3 help the poet convey?

• a change in the speaker's appreciation for the snake's beauty

• a contrast between the stillness of the scene and the sudden movement of the snake

• a difference in the snake's behavior as it becomes increasingly curious

At the end of the poem, the speaker realizes that the snake is:

• a fragile creature

• unlikely to return to that spot

• aware of its surroundings

Which of these best describes how the speaker feels about the snake?

• Frightened that it will cause her harm

• Eager to offer it assistance

• Sympathetic to its situation

• Impatient because it is in her way

The point of view of the poem helps the reader understand the:

• the threat the ribbon snake represents

• ribbon snake's ability to anticipate the speaker's actions

• aspects of the ribbon snake's behavior that the speaker finds interesting

"What I would speak of, rather,

is the weightless string of his actually soft and

nervous body; the nameless stars of its eyes."

What part of speech are the underlined words?

(a)  

• adjectives
• adverbs
• verbs
• prepositions

All of the following are synonyms for startle (found in Stanzas 1 and 3) except:

• frighten

• surprise

• shock

• predict

The imagery in stanza 3 contributes to a sense of: (a)  

• wonder
• relief
• gloom
• discomfort

Which definition best matches the way the word flow is used in line 14? (a)  

• Definition 3
• Definition 1
• Definition 2
• Definition 4

What type of figurative language is used in the title: Ribbon Snake Asleep in the Sun? (a)  

• alliteration
• simile
• metaphor
• hyperbole