Central Idea of a Poem

Read the sentences below. Select TWO lines from the poem that BEST support each inference.

At the start of the poem, the speaker thinks the bird is calm.

At the end of the poem, the speaker thinks the bird is nervous.

Part A

Which of the following best describe the setting of this poem?

• a busy street

• a thick forest

• a quiet garden

• a silver ocean

Part B

Select TWO pieces of evidence that support the answer to Part A.

• "A bird came down the walk" - line 1

• "He bit an angleworm in half" - line 2

• "And then hopped sideways to the wall" - line 7

• "And rowed him softer home" - line 16

• "Than oars divide the ocean" - line 17

Read the sentence from the text. Match the word "glance" to the closest definition.

"He glanced with rapid eyes that hurried all abroad"

• acting carefully

• looking quickly

• feeling frightened

• flashing brightly

Read the sentence from the text. Match the word "cautious" to the closest definition.

"Like one in danger, cautious, I offered him crumb."

• acting carefully

• looking quickly

• feeling frightened

• flashing brightly

Part A:

Which of the following happened after the bird "unrolled his feathers" (line 15)?

• He flew away

• He ate a butterfly

• He became cautious

• He swam in the ocean

Part B:

Which of the speaker's actions caused the event?

• She became nervous

• She offered food to the bird

• She moved a little too quickly

• She showed beads to the bird

Part A:

Which of the following best describes the message or theme the author wants to share with the reader?

• Making friends with wild animals is worth the effort

• Birds would much rather eat bugs and worms than bread

• Humans can enjoy nature, but should not upset its creatures

• People would be happy if they could fly like birds and butterflies

Which line from the poem supports your answer to Part A?

• "He bit an angleworm in halves" (line 3)

• "like one in danger, cautious" (line 13)

• "And rode him softer home" (line 16)

• "Or butterflies, off banks of noon" (line 19)