"The Willow and the Ginkgo" Poem Analysis

What is the main literary device used in the poem?

• Metaphor

• Simile

• Hyperbole

• Alliteration

What does the poet compare the willow to?

• A soldier and a rock

• Silk and a fountain

• Bark and leaves

• The ginkgo tree

Which simile best describes the ginkgo?

• “The willow is like an etching”

• “The ginkgo is leathery as an old bull”

• “The willow is sleek as a velvet-nosed calf”

• “The willow’s music is like a whisper”

What does the contrast between the willow and the ginkgo show?

• That they are both beautiful in the same way

• That one is natural and the other is artificial

• That beauty can be found in different forms

• That only one tree matters

Which of these similes uses sound imagery?

• “The ginkgo is leathery as an old bull”

• “The willow’s music is like a whisper”

• “The willow is sleek as a velvet-nosed calf”

• “The ginkgo is as tough as a chewed-up piece of string”

How does the poet’s word choice affect the tone of the description of the willow?

• It makes it seem harsh and aggressive

• It creates a soft and elegant tone

• It gives the tree a boring and dull feeling

• It confuses the reader with difficult words

What mood is created by the similes used to describe the ginkgo?

• Gentle and soothing

• Silly and playful

• Harsh but respectful

• Mysterious and spooky

Which of the following lines best shows that the speaker values the ginkgo?

• “The ginkgo is leathery as an old bull”

• “The ginkgo’s tune is like a chorus with everyone singing different words”

• “The ginkgo forces its way through stone”

• “The ginkgo is a craggy sculpture”

Why does the speaker likely choose such different similes for the two trees?

• To confuse the reader with weird comparisons

• To describe them using opposite seasons

• To explore different types of beauty and strength

• To make the willow seem better than the ginkgo

What does the poem suggest about how people might judge things based on appearance?

• People always choose what is more common

• People usually love what is loud and bright

• People may overlook strength and uniqueness when distracted by beauty

• People never like nature