Poem Theme Analysis

Which statement describes a theme of the poem?

• Getting out into nature can create a sense of satisfaction.

• Being productive can be difficult when one lacks a sense of purpose.

• Waiting expectantly for something that never happens can cause sadness.

• Remembering those who are gone can make it seem as though they never left.

What is the meaning of the word glum as it is used in line 1?

• alarmed

• focused

• sad

• tired

Read lines 16-17 of the poem.

Nothing in her garden was a secret, I think---- That's all sun-bright with foxglove and pink.

How do the lines 16–17 contribute to the development of the setting?

• by hinting at the skill with which Mrs. Willow maintains her garden

• by illustrating a beautiful backdrop that contrasts with Mrs. Willow’s dreary disposition

• by noting the garden’s open and bright layout, which is similar to Mrs. Willow’s open and honest personality

• by describing how the garden is a work in progress, providing a reason for why Mrs. Willow is constantly working in it

Which two quotations support the inference that Mrs. Willow does not communicate much with others?

• “Digging up potatoes, cleaning out the weeds, Doing the little for a lone woman’s needs.” (lines 3–4)

• “‘Good morning, Mrs. Willow.’ ‘Good morning, sir,’ Is all the conversation I can get from her.” (lines 10–11)

• “And her path-stones are white as lilies of the wood, And she washes this and that till she must be very good.” (lines 12–13)

• “She sends no letters, and no one calls, And she doesn’t go whispering beyond her walls;” (lines 14–15)

• “She has no late lamps, and she digs all day And polishes and plants in a common way,” (lines 20–21)

How does the speaker respond to Mrs. Willow’s simple yet secretive life?

• He is determined to find out more information from other neighbors.

• He is upset that she does not seem to see his genuine concern for her.

• He is bothered thinking that she is constantly eavesdropping on those around her.

• He is resigned to the fact that he may never know what is going on in her life.

Which quotation supports the answer in Part A?

• “Why does she listen over the wall,” (line 7)

• “Nothing in her garden is secret, I think—” (line 16)

• “She has no late lamps, and she digs all day” (line 20)

• “I shall never be told; it will never be said.” (line 26)

Why does the poet repeat “a footfall, a footfall, a footfall” in line 23?

• to emphasize how watchful and anxious Mrs. Willow seems

• to prove that Mrs. Willow does get occasional visitors

• to inform the reader that Mrs. Willow has sharp senses

• to mimic the sounds of a person entering Mrs. Willow’s garden

Which is the theme of the passage?

• The closest friendships can withstand any argument.

• Anyone can learn to work together with enough effort.

• Emotional expression of music is more important than accuracy.

• It is important to learn from others instead of competing with them.

Which quotation supports the answer in Part A?

• “Just because we’ve been friends since third grade doesn’t mean we were meant to make music together. I wasn’t even so sure of our friendship anymore. Her criticism about my music not showing enough emotion hurt.” (paragraphs 5-6)

• “I imagined her long fingers searching frantically for the right notes, her mass of curly brown hair gone wild with terror, and her round eyeglasses clouded with steam as sweat dripped off her face onto the keyboard.” (paragraph 15)

• “She would undoubtedly perform some bold, romantic piece for the festival. My Bach would sound timid in comparison.” (paragraph 17)

• “‘I’ve never heard you play with such feeling.’ ‘You were darn good yourself,’ I said. ‘Not a note out of place.’” (paragraphs 31-32)

Read the sentence from paragraph 6.

Sometimes I fell like an out-of-tune orchestra, playing a hundred different melodies at once.

What is the effect of the figurative language in the sentence?

• It demonstrates that Camden is insecure about her musical skills and no longer wants to perform.

• It uses the concept of an orchestra to convey how difficult it is for Camden to focus her emotions.

• It describes the experience of listening to an out-of-tune orchestra to explain how the audience will react to Camden’s music.

• It shows that Camden feels her emotions more strongly than the other musicians in her grade.