The Blessing Review

At what time of day do the events in "A Blessing" take place?

• sunrise

• twilight

• midnight

• morning

In "A Blessing," what have the ponies come "out of the willows" to do?

• greet visitors

• watch cars

• graze in the woods

• play in the pasture

In "A Blessing," which of the following represents the separation between people and animals?

• the highway

• the pasture

• the fence

• the woods

In "A Blessing," what is most likely the "blessing"?

• the spring grasses that grow in the pasture

• the light breeze that moves over the landscape

• the relationship between the speaker and his friend

• the feeling of closeness between humans and animals

Where are you most likely to find a blossom?

• in the sky

• in the garden

• inside a gymnasium

• on top of a concrete wall

Which is most likely the meaning of shyly?

• loudly

• rudely

• timidly

• clearly

In which of the following situations is the person most likely to feel loneliness?

• All of Matthew's friends attended his birthday party.

• Sam helped his younger sister with her homework.

• With her brothers gone, Rebecca enjoyed reading alone in the quiet house.

• On her first day of camp, Bella sat alone, missing her parents and friends.

In "A Blessing," the speaker says the horses have been "grazing all day, alone." What does he mean by this?

• The horses have been grazing far from the school.

• The horses have been grazing apart from each other.

• The horses have been grazing without human company.

• The horses have been grazing one at a time, taking turns.

In which line from "A Blessing" is a simile used?

• They have come gladly out of the willows. . . .

• We step over the barbed wire. . . .

• They bow shyly as wet swans.

• I would like to hold the slenderer one in my arms. . . .

Which word best describes the tone of "A Blessing"?

• playful

• peaceful

• sorrowful

• suspenseful