In the Park Quizzes

In the Park Quiz

1 Which of the following literary devices is NOT used in the poem?
Simile

Allusion

Quotation marks to signal dialogue or thought

Metaphor
2 What is the form of the poem?
Sonnet

Villanelle

Free verse

Elegy
3 Which of the following best captures the meaning of "rehearsing" as used in Line 9?
recounting in order (enumerating)

mentally preparing or reciting words one intends to say

supervising a performer or group that is practicing

practicing a play, piece of music, or other work for later public performance
4 The reader can infer that the woman has how many children?
Three

Two

One

Four
5 Which of the following best describes the tone of the poem?
Melancholy and regretful

Cheerful and content

Wistful but hopeful

Foreboding and dark
6 Which of the following is the rhyme scheme used in the poem?
AAAB ABBB ABBABB

AABB ABAB ABCABC

ABBA ABBA ABCABC

AABB ABAB ABABAB
7 What is the "small balloon" in Line 8?
A helium balloon that the woman's child holds

An imagined thought bubble rising out of the former lover's head

A hot-air balloon passing over the park

A thought bubble that the woman imagines rising out of her head
8 Which of the following is the meaning of "neat" as used in Line 7?
well-groomed and elegant

done with or demonstrating skill or efficiency

interesting and fascinating

habitually tidy, well groomed, or well organized
9 What tense is used in the poem?
Past tense

A combination of present and past tense

Present tense

Present perfect tense
10 From which perspective is the poem narrated?
Limited or close third-person

A mixture of first- and third-person

Omniscient third-person

First-person
11 The final line of the poem concludes with "They have eaten me alive." To whom is the woman speaking?
Her former lover

Her husband

Her children

The wind
12 How many stanzas and lines are in the poem?
Three stanzas of six lines each.

The first two stanzas are four lines each and the third stanza is seven lines.

The first two stanzas are four lines each and the third stanza is six lines.

Three stanzas of four lines each.
13 Which of the following best characterizes the children in the poem?
Sweet and calm

Rambunctious and creative

Quiet and withdrawn

Demanding and irritating
14 Which of the following poetry devices are used in Line 1?
Parataxis

Caesura

End-stopping

All of the above
15 The poem implies that the woman's clothes are ____.
old and unfashionable

bold, but in ill taste

dirty and torn

clean and well-fitting
16 In what year was this poem published?
1980

1975

1955

1961
17 What is the poem's attitude towards traditional, patriarchal society?
Skeptical but ultimately accepting

Critical and questioning

Supportive and celebratory

Unquestioning and traditional
18 Which of the following is NOT a theme in the poem?
Motherhood

Gender roles

Friendship

Identity
19 Which of the following INCORRECTLY describes the argument this poem makes about gender?
The poem highlights the challenges and emotional burden associated with motherhood.

The poem suggests that, contrary to the prevailing view in the 1960s, not all women are happy with the duties of motherhood.

The poem demonstrates how women feel confined by social stereotypes to act as if motherhood is always enjoyable and rewarding, even when they do not truly feel this way.

The poem advocates for rigid gender roles and suggests that women inherently find joy in motherhood.
20 Which of the following best describes the setting of the poem?
A park

A bench next to some dirt

The woman's home

Australia
21 "she says to his departing smile" is an example of which of the following?
Metonymy

Simile

Caesura

Alliteration
22 What is enjambment?
The continuation of a sentence across a line break in a poem.

A break between words within a metrical foot.

A pause near the middle of a line.

The occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words.
23 What is the meaning of "nursing" as used in Line 12?
The profession or practice of providing care for the sick.

Trying to cure or alleviate an injury.

Breastfeeding a baby.

Slowly drinking.
24 Which of the following details about Gwen Harwood is most relevant to the themes of the poem?
She studied music and is a talented pianist.

She is from Australia.

She published many of her poems under a male pseudonym.

She was awarded the Robert Frost Medal for her poetry in 1977.
25 Which of the following is an example of spoken dialogue in the poem?
"she says to his departing smile."

"Two children whine and bicker,"

“Time holds great surprises.”

"but for the grace of God…”

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Study Guide for In the Park

In the Park study guide contains a biography of Gwen Harwood, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

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