WorksheetsPoetry of Whitman Review
Total questions: 15
Worksheet time: 8mins
What is the most accurate conclusion that readers can draw from these lines in
the selection from “Song of Myself”?
I celebrate myself, and sing myself,
And what I assume you shall assume,
For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.
Whitman believes that he is an epic hero.
Whitman views humanity as an epic hero.
Whitman has a great appreciation for science.
Whitman thinks that he writes superior poetry.
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
What group of workers does Whitman focus on in “I Hear America Singing”?
office clerks
housewives
musicians
laborers
Consider the details in the selection from “Song of Myself,” in “I Hear America
Singing,” and in “On the Beach at Night Alone.” What can you infer about
Whitman’s attitude toward other people? Choose two options.
He greatly appreciates other people.
He likes to control the people around him.
He thinks that most people are very foolish.
He does not enjoy being around other people.
He believes that he has a connection to other people.
In which circumstance is it most accurate to describe a harvest as prolific?
when insects have destroyed the crops
when there is an especially abundant output
when enough laborers are available to collect it
when most of the seeds in the ground produce plants
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.
If a city street can correctly be described as teeming, which of the following
must be true? Base your answer on the meaning of teeming.
It is covered in snow.
It is swarming with people.
It has traffic going both ways.
It is in desperate need of repair.
In the preface to the 1855 edition of Leaves of Grass, Whitman states, “The
United States themselves are essentially the greatest poem.” What does he cite
to support his opinion?
"The Americans of all nations at any time upon the earth have probably the fullest poetical nature. The United States themselves are essentially the greatest poem. In the history of the earth hitherto the largest and most stirring appear tame and orderly to their ampler largeness and stir."
the rhythmic speech patterns of Americans
Americans’ respect for literary traditions
his own popularity as an American poet
the vitality and diversity of Americans
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.
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.
Which passage from the selections is the strongest example of anaphora?
In the history of the earth hitherto the largest and most stirring appear
tame and orderly to their ampler largeness and stir. (from the preface to
the 1855 edition of Leaves of Grass)
A vast similitude interlocks all, / All spheres, grown, ungrown, small,
large, suns, moons, planets, / All distances of place however wide. . . .
(from “On the Beach at Night Alone”)
I, now thirty-seven years old in perfect health begin, / Hoping to cease
not till death. (from “Song of Myself”)
I guess it must be the flag of my disposition, out of hopeful green stuff
woven. (from “Song of Myself”)
Which line from the selections is the best example of Whitman’s use of
sensory diction?
I am enamor’d of growing outdoors…. (from “Song of Myself”)
I stop somewhere waiting for you. (from “Song of Myself”)
… Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs (from “I Hear
America Singing”)
All nations, colors, barbarisms, civilizations, languages…. (from “On the
Beach at Night Alone”)
If a corporation is multinational, which is most likely to be true? Base
your answer on your knowledge of the combining form multi-.
The corporation produces goods in several countries.
The corporation specializes in a domestic product.
The corporation is based in a nation’s capital.
The corporation is as large as a small nation.
Which of America’s qualities does Whitman most stress in “America”?
its extravagance
its permanence
its favoritism
its autonomy
Which of these examples best illustrates Multinational?
This manufacturing company is valued at $1.7 billion.
The law firm has headquarters in Paris with an office in Nantes.
Her company started in the United States, but it now has franchises in 119
countries.
His company sells to wholesalers, which then resell the products to
pharmacies.
