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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does the editor describe the language in the first section of poems?
(a) Basic.
(b) Imaginative.
(c) Descriptive.
(d) Adorned.

2. What does Oliver try to provide multiple avenues for in her poems?
(a) Modality.
(b) Interpretation.
(c) Thought provocation.
(d) Tonality.

3. In Work Sometimes, what does Oliver say happiness is?
(a) Usefulness.
(b) Work ongoing.
(c) A job well done.
(d) Moments of peace.

4. Which of the following is a line from Work Sometimes?
(a) Those who know need not read longer.
(b) Sameness can be found in any landscape.
(c) Desire will consume those who don't care to control.
(d) You have had days like this, no doubt.

5. What does the editor say new readers of Oliver will feel when they read the first section?
(a) They will feel like they have always known her.
(b) They are in for a surprise.
(c) They will be eased into the style.
(d) They will get sucked in right away.

Short Answer Questions

1. What are most of Oliver's precious poems about?

2. What did the animal in The Measure do when the poet tried to save it?

3. How is the pond in Mysteries, Four of the Simple Ones described?

4. What is the turtle in Mysteries, Four of the Simple Ones, doing?

5. What does using nature in her poems allow Oliver to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Work Sometimes, what are some of the things that Oliver lists as NOT leading to happiness?

2. In Everything, what does Oliver say she wants her poems to be able to do?

3. In The Measure, how does Oliver say the turtle came to choose its course of travel for the day Oliver saw it?

4. In Everything, what kind of words does Oliver say she wants to avoid in her poetry, and what examples of good words does she give?

5. In Work Sometimes, what does Oliver say happiness truly is?

6. In Mysteries, Four of the Simple Ones, what does Oliver say about the pond?

7. In Mysteries, Four of the Simple Ones, what does Oliver ask about a catbird?

8. In Mysteries, Four of the Simple Ones, what does Oliver ask about a turtle?

9. In The Real Prayers are Not the Words, but the Attention that Comes First, what is the bird doing at the beginning of the poem?

10. In The Measure, what does Oliver say happens to the lives that are watched over?

(see the answer keys)

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