Worksheets"the lesson of the moth" & "Identity"
Total questions: 20
Worksheet time: 2hrs 40mins
Which description helps you clarify when the conversation in “the lesson of the moth” takes place?
“i was talking to a moth / the other evening”
“it is better to be happy / for a moment”
“for one instant and then to cease to”
“now be a small unsightly cinder”
The words in the free verse poem “the lesson of the moth” that sound most like plain, everyday speech are ---
“you fellows”
“patent cigar lighter”
“immolated himself”
“the conventional thing”
Lines 6–7 in “the lesson of the moth” help you understand that the speaker ---
hopes to become close friends with the moths
wishes to learn how the moths do a stunt
finds the moths’ actions crazy
wants to help the moths fly
In “the lesson of the moth,” what does the moth claim is exciting and beautiful?
other moths
nighttime
routine
fire
According to the speaker in “Identity,” what clings to cliffs?
a weed
human hands
potted flowers
fragrant lilacs
The description from “Identity” that best demonstrates the strength of the weed is ---
“wind-wavering above high, jagged rocks”
“To have broken through the surface of stone”
“To be swayed by the breezes of an ancient sea”
“I’d rather smell of musty, green stench”
In “Identity,” what problem does the speaker say occurs if you are a fragrant flower?
Other flowers become jealous.
Valleys become crowded.
Stench starts to occur.
Humans pick you.
In “Identity,” the commas in lines 19–22 help you pause and think about the difference between ---
the smells of weeds and lilacs.
a lilac and the speaker.
the speaker and plants.
a weed and its smell.
The speaker’s main desire in “Identity” is to be ---
tall and undesirable.
carried around by the wind.
strong and on his or her own.
hidden from the view of others.
The moths in “the lesson of the moth” and the speaker in “Identity” are alike because both ---
crave excitement.
want to be invisible.
hope for the ability to fly.
want to destroy themselves.
In “the lesson of the moth,” what was the moth trying to do when the speaker first met him?
fly into a candle flame
wad his life up into a roll
fry himself on a light bulb
sacrifice himself on a cigar lighter
In lines 6–9 of “the lesson of the moth,” the speaker gives the impression that he ---
thinks the moth is crazy.
dislikes moths in general.
wants to watch the moth ignite.
understands the moth’s behavior.
Reread lines 18–20 of “the lesson of the moth.” How do the line breaks help you clarify the moth’s message?
Each break gives Archy a chance to stop the moth.
The moth gives a different reason on each line.
The moth takes a breath between each line.
Each break shows the moth’s insanity.
The moth explains that the problem with humans is that they ---
built large cities.
look down on bugs.
believe in never having fun.
take themselves too seriously.
The moth in “the lesson of the moth” strengthens his point about experiencing beauty when he ---
rolls himself up.
argues with humans.
flies into a cigar lighter.
says why he prefers candles to bulbs.
What description in the free verse poem “Identity” sounds like everyday speech?
“wind-wavering”
“a tall, ugly weed”
“abyss of the bizarre”
“clusters in the fertile valley”
You can tell that the speaker in “Identity” believes that others would consider his or her choice an unpopular one when the speaker ---
uses negative words to describe the weed.
says that he or she would rather be unseen.
talks about being on his or her own.
admits that humans are greedy.
The use of punctuation in lines 5–6 of “Identity” helps you pause and clarify that the speaker ---
thinks that he or she is an eagle.
likes to pretend to be an eagle.
wants to soar like an eagle.
clings to the cliff now.
What does the speaker in “Identity” believe is necessary in order to be what he or she wants?
waiting for his or her turn
enduring hardships
avoiding others
smelling nice
The poems “the lesson of the moth” and “Identity” are both about ---
having people understand your choices.
living as something other than human.
getting the most out of life.
desiring beautiful things.
