The Writing of Walt Whitman Review

What is the 'singing' that the speaker hears in 'I Hear America Singing'?

• the language of different ethnic groups in the American melting pot

• the songs from foreign lands brought to America by immigrants

• the individuality of Americans in various walks of life

• the poetry of Whitman and other American poets

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.11

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

What group of workers does Whitman focus on in 'I Hear America Singing'?

• office clerks

• housewives

• musicians

• laborers

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.11

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

If a person witnesses multitudes, which of the following must be true? Base your answer on the meaning of multitudes.

• An amazingly emotional experience has begun.

• An unusually shocking event has transpired.

• An incredibly beautiful scene has occurred.

• An extremely large crowd has gathered.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Based on the following passage from the preface to the 1855 edition of Leaves of Grass, identify what is most clearly suggested about Whitman's attitude toward the past.

America does not repel the past or what it has produced under its forms or amid other politics or the idea of castes or the old religions … accepts the lesson with calmness … is not so impatient as has been supposed that the slough still sticks to opinions and manners and literature while the life which served its requirements has passed into the new life of the new forms….

• Whitman recognizes that Americans learn from the past while making a new way of life.

• Whitman thinks that Americans should include a study of the past in their education.

• Whitman wishes that Americans would give more honor to traditions of the past.

• Whitman believes that Americans have nothing to learn from the past.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.2.6

What does the speaker in the selection from “Song of Myself” mean when he says that he holds “Creeds and schools in abeyance”?

• He believes in the value of religious education.

• He has temporarily let go of traditional teachings.

• He is opposed to any type of formal education.

• He thinks that Americans of all creeds should attend school.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.11

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

What is the best interpretation of this excerpt from “Song of Myself”? These are really the thoughts of all men in all ages and lands, they are not original with me, / If they are not yours as much as mine they are nothing, or next to nothing....

• Whitman admits that he has borrowed poetic ideas from writers of the past.

• Whitman thinks that his poetry is valuable only if his readers agree with him.

• Whitman believes that his observations are, in some sense, universally shared.

• Whitman predicts that people who read his poetry in the future will appreciate it.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.11

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.5

The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B. Part A: Which of America’s qualities does Whitman most stress in “America”?

• its extravagance

• its permanence

• its favoritism

• its autonomy

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.11

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

Which statement best explains why “On the Beach at Night Alone” can be said to have an epic theme?

• It expresses a belief in a connection among all people.

• It presents an image of Earth’s place in the universe.

• It refers to various heroes of ancient literature.

• It explores the speaker’s private reflections.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.9

The word multilevel contains the Latin combining form multi-. Choose the example that most clearly illustrates the meaning of multilevel. Base your answer on your knowledge of the combining form multi-.

• the height of a river during flood stage in spring

• the presidency or chairmanship of a major company

• a delicately balanced mobile hanging from a ceiling

• a terraced garden with stairs connecting various flat surfaces

Tags

CCSS.RF.3.3B

CCSS.RF.3.3C

CCSS.RF.3.3D

CCSS.RF.4.3A

CCSS.RF.5.3A

The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B. Part A Which sentence contains an example of onomatopoeia?

• The small, storm-tossed boat battled the waves.

• The murmuring tide soon lulled the campers to sleep.

• The sunset was sudden; the golden orb dipped and vanished.

• The surf polished bits of glass until they were bottle-smooth.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3