In the Park Quizzes

In the Park Quiz

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

Allusion

Simile

Quotation marks to signal dialogue or thought
2 What is the form of the poem?
Elegy

Free verse

Villanelle

Sonnet
3 Which of the following best captures the meaning of "rehearsing" as used in Line 9?
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

recounting in order (enumerating)
4 The reader can infer that the woman has how many children?
One

Three

Four

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

Foreboding and dark

Cheerful and content

Wistful but hopeful
6 Which of the following is the rhyme scheme used in the poem?
AAAB ABBB ABBABB

AABB ABAB ABABAB

ABBA ABBA ABCABC

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

A thought bubble that the woman imagines rising out of her head

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

A hot-air balloon passing over the park
8 Which of the following is the meaning of "neat" as used in Line 7?
habitually tidy, well groomed, or well organized

done with or demonstrating skill or efficiency

well-groomed and elegant

interesting and fascinating
9 What tense is used in the poem?
Present perfect tense

A combination of present and past tense

Past tense

Present tense
10 From which perspective is the poem narrated?
A mixture of first- and third-person

First-person

Limited or close third-person

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

Her former lover

The wind

Her husband
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 six lines.

Three stanzas of four lines each.

The first two stanzas are four lines each and the third stanza is seven lines.
13 Which of the following best characterizes the children in the poem?
Demanding and irritating

Sweet and calm

Rambunctious and creative

Quiet and withdrawn
14 Which of the following poetry devices are used in Line 1?
Caesura

Parataxis

End-stopping

All of the above
15 The poem implies that the woman's clothes are ____.
bold, but in ill taste

old and unfashionable

clean and well-fitting

dirty and torn
16 In what year was this poem published?
1980

1961

1975

1955
17 What is the poem's attitude towards traditional, patriarchal society?
Unquestioning and traditional

Supportive and celebratory

Skeptical but ultimately accepting

Critical and questioning
18 Which of the following is NOT a theme in the poem?
Motherhood

Friendship

Gender roles

Identity
19 Which of the following INCORRECTLY describes the argument this poem makes about gender?
The poem advocates for rigid gender roles and suggests that women inherently find joy in 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 suggests that, contrary to the prevailing view in the 1960s, not all women are happy with the duties of motherhood.

The poem highlights the challenges and emotional burden associated with motherhood.
20 Which of the following best describes the setting of the poem?
The woman's home

A park

A bench next to some dirt

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

Alliteration

Simile

Caesura
22 What is enjambment?
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.

A break between words within a metrical foot.

The continuation of a sentence across a line break in a poem.
23 What is the meaning of "nursing" as used in Line 12?
Trying to cure or alleviate an injury.

Breastfeeding a baby.

The profession or practice of providing care for the sick.

Slowly drinking.
24 Which of the following details about Gwen Harwood is most relevant to the themes of the poem?
She was awarded the Robert Frost Medal for her poetry in 1977.

She studied music and is a talented pianist.

She is from Australia.

She published many of her poems under a male pseudonym.
25 Which of the following is an example of spoken dialogue in the poem?
"but for the grace of God…”

"she says to his departing smile."

"Two children whine and bicker,"

“Time holds great surprises.”

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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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