The Valley's Singing Day

11. Which sentence best describes the theme of the poem?

• Individual actions do not matter in the grand scheme of life.

• Beginning the day early makes actions more impactful.

• Even small actions can have a significant impact.

• Nature is unaffected by human actions.

Read lines 2-3 from the poem.

You made no sound in the grass with your footfall,

 As far as you went from the door, which was not far;

 

What can be inferred about the subject, “you,” from the lines?

• The subject is careful and quiet.

• The subject does not like to travel.

• The subject is too tired to move quickly.

• The subject is a secretive person.

What is the effect of the phrase “for prying” in lines 9 and 10?

• It creates a sense of aggression and frustration.

• It highlights the difficulty of waking up early.

• It calls attention to the unusual brightness of the sun.

• It reflects the steady patterns of nature

14. What does the phrase “losing the pent-up music of over-night” in line 11 suggest about the dawn?

• Dawn silences the sounds of the previous night.

• Dawn interrupts the calm of the night.

• Dawn brings out the music of nature.

• Dawn arrives with energy and excitement.

15. Read lines 13-14 from the poem.

(By which they mean the rain is pearls so early,

Before it changes to diamonds in the sun),

 

 

What is the effect of the metaphors?

• They emphasize the value of the natural world.

• They highlight the chaos of the human world.

• They reveal how fragile nature can be.

• They suggest how unpredictable the environment is

Select two underlined lines from the poem that best illustrate the setting.

The sound of the closing outside door was all.

You made no sound in the grass with your footfall,

As far as you went from the door, which was not far;

But had awakened under the morning star

The first song bird that awakened all the rest.

He could have slept but a moment more at best.

Already determined dawn began to lay

In place across a cloud the slender ray

For prying across a cloud the slender ray

For prying beneath and forcing the lids of sight,

And losing the pent-up music of over-night.

But dawn was not to begin their pearly-pearly;

(By which they mean the rain is pearls so early,

Before it changes to diamonds in the sun),

Neither was song that day to be self-begun.

You had begun it, and if there needed proof,

I was asleep still under the dripping roof,

My window curtain hung over the sill to wet;

But I should awake to confirm your story yet;

The sound of the closing outside door was all.

But had awakened under the morning star

I should be willing to say and help you say

• The sound of the closing outside door was all.

• But had awakened under the morning star

• He could have slept but a moment more at best.

• My window curtain hung over the sill to wet;

• I should be willing to say and help you say

17. Part A: Which sentence describes the speaker’s attitude toward the subject in line 19?

• The speaker is annoyed with the subject.

• The speaker is impressed by the subject.

• The speaker is offering to support the subject.

• The speaker is hesitant to believe the subject

18. Part B: Which evidence from the poem supports the answer chosen in Part A?

• “You made no sound in the grass with your footfall,” (line 2)

• “The first song-bird that awakened all the rest.” (line 5)

• “Neither was song that day to be self-begun.” (line 15)

• “I should be willing to say and help you say” (line 20)