Where the West Begins Poem Questions

Read lines 24-25.

"Doth plainly show what hazards some men run To get what will be lost as soon as won."

What does the speaker mean in these lines?

• People are willing to go through much trouble to obtain items that are only temporary.

• People will put themselves in harm’s way in order to defend their belongings.

• People will risk their safety when they want possessions that others have.

• People are willing to sacrifice their reputations in order to be the first with a new item.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What tone is established in lines 14-19?

• apologetic

• negative

• regretful

• sorrowful

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CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

Which set of words from lines 14-19 best supports the answer to Part A in question number 2?

• “emblem,” “hearts,” “butterfly,” “world’s best things”

• “world’s dispose,” “at best but fading,” “false,” “butterfly”

• “hearts,” “world’s dispose,” “best things,” “our boys”

• “fading,” “painted nothings,” “false joys,” “poor butterfly”

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CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

How does the phrase “painted nothings” in line 18 affect the meaning of the poem?

• It stresses the speaker’s frustration with the changes he sees around him

• It highlights the speaker’s annoyance with younger people.

• It emphasizes the speaker’s disregard for the beauty of nature.

• It communicates the speaker’s disappointment with trivial elements of life.

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CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

Which theme is best supported by evidence in the poem?

• Finding the beauty in nature requires a peace within oneself.

• It is important to invest one’s time in worthy pursuits.

• Life is a combination of both good times and bad

• Holding on to a positive outlook as one ages demands strong character.

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Which set of lines illustrates the speaker’s feelings that the boy’s quest for the butterfly is a waste of time?

• “Found in her would be bundled up together, When all her all is lighter than a feather.” (lines 5-6)

• “And all his labour and his large outcry Is only for a silly butterfly.” (lines 11-12)

• “The butterfly doth represent to me The world’s best things at best but fading be.” (lines 16-17)

• “His running through nettles, thorns, and briers, To gratify his boyish fond desires,” (lines 20-21)

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CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

What do lines 7-10 reveal about the boy?

• He is interested in learning more about the butterfly.

• He is focused solely on catching the butterfly.

• He is clumsy and unsure as he navigates the landscape

• He is unconcerned with the fact that he is getting lost.

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CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

How does the poet use point of view to achieve a sense of tension?

• by not communicating the activities the speaker enjoyed when he was a child

• by not detailing whether or not the boy is able to catch the butterfly

• by not identifying the relationship between the speaker and the boy

• by not revealing the life experiences that have created a realistic perspective in the speaker

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CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

Read the incomplete summary of the poem.

"A father dreams of his past, while his son dreams of his future."

Which sentence should be added to make a complete summary?

• Both the father and the son are glad for their dreams

• In the son’s dream, he fights righteous battles

• In the father’s dream, he strolls with old friends.

• Both the father and the son share their dreams with one another

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Read the quotation from Dante’s “The Divine Comedy” written during the 1300s.

"There is no greater sorrow Than to recall a happy time When miserable."

How does the poet of the modern work, “The Dreams,” draw on a similar theme?

• by recognizing the presence of longing at the end of one’s life

• by suggesting that it is impossible to feel joyful when presented with grief

• by illustrating the importance of life’s passions

• by expressing the worst qualities of one’s inner thoughts

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.7.7

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7