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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which details in the second stanza evoke a patriotic occasion?
(a) The crowd and the shore.
(b) The flag and bugle.
(c) The bouquets and wreaths.
(d) The captain and the bells.

2. What type of rhyme is employed in line 20, "From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won"?
(a) Identical rhyme.
(b) Internal rhyme.
(c) Near rhyme.
(d) Eye rhyme.

3. Line 4, "While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring," contains examples of which techniques?
(a) Alliteration and synecdoche.
(b) Personification and simile.
(c) Simie and alliteration.
(d) Synecdoche and personification.

4. Which technique is evident in the phrase "for you the flag is flung" (line 10)?
(a) Cacophony.
(b) Sibilance.
(c) Assonance.
(d) Alliteration.

5. In context, the literal meaning of the word "rack" in line two is which of the following?
(a) A metal rod used for hanging things.
(b) Storm or upheaval.
(c) A thorough sorting or sifting.
(d) Battle or confrontation.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the phrase "swaying mass" refer to (line 12)?

2. By which other term, besides "Captain," does the speaker address the captain of the ship?

3. What does it mean that the people are "exulting"?

4. In context, the word "fearful" in line 1 indicates that the trip was which of the following?

5. What feature of the Captain's face does line 17 focus on?

Short Essay Questions

1. What ironic contrast do the poem's images highlight?

2. What elements of the poem's diction establish a warm and personal relationship between the speaker and the captain?

3. Describe the form of "O Captain! My Captain!"

4. Explain the allegorical nature of the poem's central conceit.

5. What evidence is there that the speaker is struggling to understand and process the captain's death?

(see the answer keys)

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