Understanding the Poem: Ring out, wild bells

Read the lines from the poem: "Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky, The flying cloud, the frosty light ... Ring, happy bells, across the snow." Which words or phrases in the poem tell us that it is a cold and windy winter evening? Select all that apply.

• wild sky

• flying cloud

• frosty light

• across the snow

• happy bells

Which lines from the poem suggest that it is New Year’s Eve? Select all that apply.

• The year is dying in the night

• The year is going, let him go

• Ring in the nobler modes of life

• The flying cloud, the frosty light

What kind of things does the speaker want to ring out, and why?

• Old, false, sad, and harmful things because they cause pain and conflict

• Joyful celebrations so that people will be quiet

• Natural events like snow and clouds because they are cold

• New ideas so that only traditions remain

How does the speaker face the new year, and what shows this attitude?

• With hope, shown by lines such as "Ring in the new," "Ring in the true," and "Ring in the nobler modes of life"

• With fear, shown by asking the old year to stay

• With indifference, shown by ignoring changes in the year

• With anger, shown by rejecting the sound of bells

Based on the stanza, "Ring out the grief that saps the mind ... Ring in redress to all mankind," why would grief sap the mind?

• Because constant sadness weakens a person emotionally and mentally, making clear thinking and hope difficult

• Because grief always makes people stronger and more hopeful

• Because grief affects only physical health and not the mind

• Because grief causes people to become wealthy

Based on the stanza, "Ring out the grief that saps the mind ... Ring in redress to all mankind," which things lead to a feud between the rich and the poor? Select all that apply.

• Inequality

• Injustice

• Lack of opportunities

• Fair distribution of wealth

• Poverty

In what ways can the wrongs in society be corrected? Select all that apply.

• Fair laws and justice

• Equal opportunities for all

• Kindness, understanding, and cooperation

• Discrimination and exploitation

• Removing discrimination and exploitation