NEW
Font size
WorksheetsHighwayman Review Questions
Total questions: 77
Worksheet time: 39mins
Look again at the metaphor in line 1: 'The wind was a torrent of darkness.' How does it affect the mood?
It creates a sense of mystery and foreboding.
It makes the mood cheerful and light-hearted.
It gives the mood a sense of excitement and joy.
It makes the mood calm and peaceful.
Look again at the metaphor in line 1: 'The wind was a torrent of darkness.' What does it suggest about what might happen (foreshadow)?
It suggests that something dangerous or ominous might happen.
It suggests that the weather will be calm and peaceful.
It suggests that the wind will bring happiness and joy.
It suggests that the night will be full of laughter and celebration.
Make some inferences about Bess's character traits based on stanzas 10-13.
Bess is brave and selfless.
Bess is timid and fearful.
Bess is dishonest and cunning.
Bess is indifferent and uncaring.
Natural beauty is all over this poem! What is beautiful? List several beautiful things.
The poem mentions beautiful things like flowers, trees, and rivers.
The poem describes beautiful things like cars, buildings, and roads.
The poem highlights beautiful things like computers, televisions, and phones.
The poem lists beautiful things like books, pencils, and chairs.
In the poem, what/who is meant to contrast this beauty? How do you know?
The harshness of nature, as described in the poem
The poet's admiration for beauty
The use of vivid imagery
The celebration of beauty throughout the poem
Stanza 5 foreshadows the events in stanza 7 by:
hinting at a conflict that is resolved in stanza 7
describing the resolution that occurs in stanza 7
introducing a character who leaves in stanza 7
summarizing the main theme of stanza 7
In stanza 2, the refrain affects your perception of the highwayman by:
Emphasizing his romantic and daring nature.
Making him appear cowardly and fearful.
Portraying him as a villainous character.
Depicting him as a mysterious stranger.
The word moonlight is mentioned nearly twenty times! What might the moonlight symbolize, or represent?
Hope or guidance
Danger or fear
Wealth or prosperity
Loneliness or isolation
Reread stanza 3. Identify the sound devices present and their impact on the stanza.
Alliteration and repetition, which create rhythm and emphasis.
Metaphor and simile, which add imagery.
Personification and hyperbole, which add exaggeration.
Onomatopoeia and irony, which create humor.
Why is stanza 4 important to the plot's development?
It introduces a key turning point in the plot.
It summarizes the entire story.
It describes the setting in detail.
It provides background information about the characters.
Think deeper about stanza 4. What effect does this stanza have on the poem's resolution?
It provides a turning point that leads to the poem's resolution.
It introduces a new character unrelated to the resolution.
It shifts the poem's setting without affecting the resolution.
It repeats earlier ideas without contributing to the resolution.
'The Highwayman' is an example of which type of poem, and what effect does this have on its meaning?
It is a narrative poem, which helps tell a dramatic story.
It is a sonnet, which focuses on love and emotion.
It is a haiku, which emphasizes nature and simplicity.
It is a limerick, which creates a humorous effect.
In stanza 2, what effect does the refrain have on your perception of the highwayman?
The refrain, twinkle, reminds us just how fancy the highwayman is. He's so well dressed and neat that he twinkles. He twinkles so much that it's worth repeating twinkles three times.
The refrain, twinkle, suggests the highwayman is mysterious and hard to see clearly.
The refrain, twinkle, makes the highwayman seem dangerous and threatening.
The refrain, twinkle, implies the highwayman is sad and lonely.
The word moonlight is mentioned nearly twenty times! Why? What might the moonlight symbolize, or represent?
danger? love? romance? mystery? violence? possible answers are endless
happiness? certainty? boredom? clarity?
sunshine? daytime? heat? brightness?
anger? hatred? war? destruction?
Reread stanza 3. What sound devices are present? What impact do these sound devices have on the stanza?
onomatopoeia - clattered, clashed, whip, alliteration - cobbles, clattered, clashed, with, whip, was, whistled, window, waiting. These sound devices create imagery in this stanza so that the reader can almost hear the sound of the horse's hooves on the cobbles and the sound of the whip on the shutters.
assonance - clattered, clashed, whip, repetition - cobbles, clattered, clashed, with, whip, was, whistled, window, waiting. These sound devices create a sense of calm and quiet in the stanza.
rhyme - clattered, clashed, whip, consonance - cobbles, clattered, clashed, with, whip, was, whistled, window, waiting. These sound devices make the stanza feel musical and soothing.
no sound devices are present in stanza 3. The stanza is focused only on visual imagery.
Why is stanza 4 important to the plot's development?
In stanza 4, we are introduced to another character, Tim. This stanza also introduces a conflict - a love triangle between Bess, the highwayman, and Tim, and a man vs. man conflict between Tim and the highwayman, both vying for Bess's love.
Stanza 4 describes the setting of the story in detail, focusing on the landscape and weather.
Stanza 4 reveals the resolution of the main conflict, showing how the characters solve their problems.
Stanza 4 introduces a flashback to Bess's childhood, explaining her motivations.
What effect does this stanza have on the poem's resolution?
Tim is listening in, eavesdropping on Bess and the highwayman because he's also in love with Bess. Most likely, Tim is the one who tipped off the redcoats as to the highwayman's location and plans, so he is the reason that both Bess and the highwayman end up dead. If Tim hadn't overheard their conversation, neither would have had to die.
Tim is helping the highwayman escape from the redcoats, ensuring a happy ending for both him and Bess.
Tim is warning Bess about the highwayman’s dangerous plans, saving her from harm.
Tim is secretly working with Bess to outsmart the highwayman and the redcoats.
What type of poem is 'The Highwayman'? What effect does this have on its meaning?
The highwayman is a narrative poem which means that it tells a story and has characters, a setting, and a plot. It also follows a traditional plot line with tension building up to the climax.
The highwayman is a lyric poem which means that it focuses on expressing emotions and feelings rather than telling a story.
The highwayman is an epic poem which means that it recounts the adventures of a heroic figure over a long period of time.
The highwayman is a sonnet which means that it follows a strict rhyme scheme and structure, usually about love.
Identify three metaphors from the poem 'The Highwayman'.
The wind was a torrent of darkness, The moon was a ghostly galleon, The road was a ribbon of moonlight
The highwayman wore a red coat, Bess waited at the window, Tim listened at the door
The horse galloped quickly, The highwayman rode at night, Bess tied a ribbon in her hair
The highwayman was brave, Bess was loyal, Tim was jealous
2. The highwayman can be described as:
A romantic and daring figure
A timid and fearful man
A wealthy merchant
A local farmer
List the characters introduced so far in the poem 'The Highwayman'.
The Highwayman, Bess, Tim the ostler
The Highwayman, Bess, the landlord
The Highwayman, Tim the ostler, the stable boy
Bess, Tim the ostler, the landlord
Describe the setting of the poem 'The Highwayman'.
A lonely road at night with a moonlit inn and surrounding countryside.
A bustling city street during the day.
A quiet village by the sea.
A mountain pass covered in snow.
Where is the highwayman going?
He is ten (to see Bess).
He is going to the market.
He is heading to the inn.
He is traveling to the city.
Select two similes from the poem 'The Highwayman'.
The road was a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor; His face burnt like a brand.
His hair was like mouldy hay; The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas.
His eyes were hollows of madness; The wind was a torrent of darkness among the gusty trees.
His pistol butts a twinkle; The highwayman came riding—riding—riding.
The highwayman promises:
to return to Bess before morning
to steal gold from the inn
to escape to London
to never come back
Identify a simile.
Her smile was as bright as the sun.
He ran quickly.
The cat slept on the mat.
She is very tall.
Identify a metaphor.
The classroom was a zoo.
The classroom had many students.
The classroom was very noisy.
The classroom was full of desks.
The highwayman's feelings towards Bess can be inferred as:
deeply loving and devoted
indifferent and careless
resentful and angry
fearful and suspicious
Identify a metaphor.
The classroom was a zoo.
The classroom had many students.
The classroom was noisy.
The classroom was large.
How did the king's men know to come to the old inn?
They were told by a messenger.
They followed a map.
They overheard a conversation.
They saw a signal from the window.
The king's men are there because:
they are guarding the castle
they are attending a festival
they are searching for treasure
they are lost
What do the soldiers do to Bess?
They tie her up.
They rescue her.
They ignore her.
They give her food.
What does it mean to have "death at every window, / And hell at one dark window"?
It means there is danger and evil present everywhere, especially at one particular place.
It means the house is haunted by ghosts.
It means someone is watching from every window.
It means the windows are broken and the house is abandoned.
28. She does this because:
she wants to help others.
she is bored.
she is forced to do it.
she wants to impress her friends.
29. What does the highwayman learn at dawn?
He learns that Bess has sacrificed herself to warn him.
He learns that the soldiers have left the inn.
He learns that his horse has been stolen.
He learns that the treasure is missing.
30. 'His face grew gray to hear' means:
He became frightened or shocked.
He was very happy.
He was confused.
He started laughing.
31. Which of the following options contains two similes?
As brave as a lion; as busy as a bee
As tall as a mountain; as green as grass
As cold as ice; as quick as a flash
As strong as an ox; as wise as an owl
What happens to the highwayman?
He is shot and killed.
He escapes unharmed.
He is arrested by the authorities.
He finds hidden treasure.
33. Which stanzas are repeated here?
Stanza 1 and Stanza 2
Stanza 2 and Stanza 3
Stanza 1 and Stanza 3
Stanza 3 and Stanza 4
34. Why does the author end with this refrain?
To emphasize the main message of the text.
To introduce a new character.
To change the setting of the story.
To provide a summary of the plot.
What do the soldiers want Bess to look for?
Watch him die
Find the treasure
Spot the enemy
Search for help
Who is the doomed man?
The Highwayman
The Blacksmith
The Innkeeper
The Soldier
20. Identify a simile.
Her smile was as bright as the sun.
He ran quickly to the store.
The cat slept on the mat.
She opened the window.
Why does Bess struggle to touch the trigger of the gun?
It is the one thing she can control
She is afraid of loud noises
The gun is too heavy for her
She does not know how to use a gun
What makes Bess stop struggling and become quiet?
She does not want the redcoats to stop her
She is too tired to continue
She hears a noise outside
She sees someone she recognizes
Identify onomatopoeia:
Tot, Tot
Run, Run
Jump, Jump
Think, Think
Who is coming?
The Highwayman
The Postman
The Milkman
The Policeman
How are the redcoats responding?
Loading their guns
Singing a song
Eating their lunch
Waving a flag
Building a campfire
Some call death 'the ultimate sacrifice.' Which of the following is an example of a person who died to save others?
A firefighter running into a burning building to rescue people and losing their life.
A scientist making a discovery in a laboratory.
An artist painting a famous portrait.
A chef cooking a meal for charity.
A metaphor is:
a figure of speech that compares two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as'
a comparison using 'like' or 'as'
an exaggeration used for effect
a statement that cannot possibly be true
How can wind be 'a torrent of darkness'? When it is dark and stormy, and the wind swirls around like a tornado.
When it is dark and stormy, and the wind swirls around like a tornado.
When the sun is shining and the wind is gentle.
When there is no wind and the sky is clear.
When the wind is calm and the night is quiet.
How can the moon be 'a ghastly galleon'? If it is dark and foggy out, the moon could look like a ghost ship with the dark clouds.
Because in dark and foggy conditions, the moon can resemble a ghost ship among the clouds.
Because the moon always looks like a ship at night.
Because the moon is shaped like a galleon.
Because the moon disappears during foggy nights.
How can a road be 'a ribbon of moonlight'? The road can be seen by moonlight if the moon is shining brightly at night.
The road can be seen by moonlight if the moon is shining brightly at night.
The road is covered with snow during the day.
The road is painted with silver color.
The road is only visible during sunrise.
By using the words 'torrent of darkness,' 'ghostly,' and 'moonlight,' Noyes is setting up what kind of mood for his poem?
A cheerful and lively mood
A mysterious and eerie mood
A romantic and joyful mood
A bright and festive mood
Personification is:
giving human qualities to non-human things
a type of rhyme scheme
using exaggeration for effect
describing something using senses
Identify the example of personification in stanza ten and explain what is being personified. Why do the hours seem to 'crawl' for Bess at this point in the story?
The hours are personified as crawling because Bess is anxiously waiting, making time seem to move slowly.
The wind is personified as whispering secrets to Bess because she is lonely.
The moon is personified as smiling down on Bess because she is hopeful.
The shadows are personified as dancing because Bess is frightened.
What is a simile?
A simile is comparing two unlike things using like or as.
A simile is a type of poem that rhymes.
A simile is a metaphor without any comparison words.
A simile is a story with animals as characters.
Find the simile in stanza thirteen? What two things are being compared?
Her face was like a light. Her face is being compared to a light.
Her eyes were as blue as the sky. Her eyes are being compared to the sky.
Her smile shone like the sun. Her smile is being compared to the sun.
Her hair flowed like a river. Her hair is being compared to a river.
How can a face be "like a light?"
If someone sees someone they love, they may brighten up a little bit.
It means the person is feeling sleepy.
It means the person is angry.
It means the person is hiding something.
What would cause Bess's face to be "like a light" as she stood listening to her ride toward the inn?
1) She was his focus since she is standing. 2) She is so happy to see him that she looks bright.
She was frightened by the sound of horses.
She was angry at the rider for arriving late.
She was confused by the noise outside.
In stanza twelve, there is an example of onomatopoeia. What is it?
Onomatopoeia: "Tlot-tlot"
Onomatopoeia: "Bang-bang"
Onomatopoeia: "Splash-splash"
Onomatopoeia: "Buzz-buzz"
Why does Noyes make a sound effect rather than just tell us that the horse was galloping down the road?
He is creating suspense by using the sound of the horse's hooves coming closer.
He wants to describe the weather conditions.
He is trying to show the horse is tired.
He wants to introduce a new character.
In stanza three, there is an example of alliteration. What is it?
"Over the cobbles he clattered and clashed"
"He whistled a tune to the window, and who should be waiting"
"The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas"
"He rose upright in the stirrups, he scarce could reach her hand"
What is the repeated consonant sound? How do the words "cobbles," "clattered," and "clashed" create a sound effect for the action that is taking place in the stanza? Why do you think Noyes used "noisy words" at this point in the poem?
He is using noisy words to show the contrast of a quite dark night and a highwayman approaching this silent house.
He is using noisy words to describe the weather outside the house.
He is using noisy words to emphasize the silence in the poem.
He is using noisy words to show the happiness of the characters.
If you were an illustrator, and could paint only one picture to represent this entire poem, what would your painting depict, and why?
A single painting that captures the essence of the entire poem.
A series of paintings showing each stanza.
A portrait of the poet.
A landscape unrelated to the poem.
What is a simile?
A simile is comparing two unlike things using 'like' or 'as'.
A simile is a type of poem that rhymes.
A simile is a story with animals as characters.
A simile is a comparison without using 'like' or 'as'.
Find the simile in stanza thirteen? What two things are being compared?
Her face was like a light. Her face is being compared to a light.
Her eyes were as blue as the sky. Her eyes are being compared to the sky.
Her voice was soft as silk. Her voice is being compared to silk.
Her hair shone like gold. Her hair is being compared to gold.
How can a face be "like a light"?
If someone sees someone they love, they may brighten up a little bit.
If someone is feeling tired, their face glows.
If someone is angry, their face shines.
If someone is outside in the sun, their face becomes like a light.
What would cause Bess's face to be "like a light" as she stood listening to her love ride toward the inn?
1) She was his focus since she is standing in a bright light. 2) She is so happy to see him that she looks excited.
3) She was frightened by the sound of horses approaching. 4) She was angry at her love for arriving late. 5) She was thinking about her chores for the day.
In stanza twelve, there is an example of onomatopoeia. What is it?
Onomatopoeia: "Tlot-tlot"
Onomatopoeia: "Whispering wind"
Onomatopoeia: "Silent night"
Onomatopoeia: "Dark moon"
Why does Noyes make a sound effect rather than just tell us that the horse was galloping down the road?
He is creating suspense by using the sound of the horse's hooves coming closer.
He wants to describe the weather conditions.
He is trying to show the horse's color.
He wants to introduce a new character.
In stanza three, there is an example of alliteration. What is it?
"Over the cobbles he clattered and clashed" and "He whistled a tune to the window, and who should be waiting there"
"The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas"
"The road was a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor"
"His face burnt like a brand as the black cascade of perfume came tumbling over his breast"
What is the repeated consonant sound? How do the words "cobbles," "clattered," and "clashed" create a sound effect for the action that is taking place in the stanza? Why do you think Noyes used "noisy words" at this point in the poem?
He is using noisy words to show the contrast of a quite dark night and a highwayman approaching this silent house.
He is using noisy words to describe the weather conditions outside the house.
He is using noisy words to emphasize the silence inside the house.
He is using noisy words to highlight the beauty of the countryside.
Bess made a wise choice in sacrificing herself for her love.
Yes, because her sacrifice showed true love and bravery.
No, because sacrificing herself was not a wise decision.
Yes, because it was the only way to save her love.
No, because her sacrifice did not change the outcome.
Please also know the difference between the dash and the hyphen.
Dash is used for dramatic effect; hyphen is used for words.
Dash is used for connecting numbers; hyphen is used for dramatic effect.
Dash is used for joining syllables; hyphen is used for separating sentences.
Dash is used for spelling errors; hyphen is used for punctuation marks.
Write down the last word of each line in the first stanza.
trees, seas, moor, hiding, riding, inn-door
trees, leaves, moor, hiding, riding, inn-door
trees, seas, moor, hiding, riding, out-door
trees, seas, moor, hiding, walking, inn-door
Bess made a wise choice in sacrificing herself for her love. Do you agree?
Yes, because her sacrifice showed true love and bravery.
No, because sacrificing herself was unnecessary and tragic.
No, because her actions did not change the outcome.
Yes, because it was the only way to save her lover.
