In the Park Quizzes

In the Park Quiz

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

Quotation marks to signal dialogue or thought

Simile

Metaphor
2 What is the form of the poem?
Free verse

Elegy

Sonnet

Villanelle
3 Which of the following best captures the meaning of "rehearsing" as used in Line 9?
supervising a performer or group that is practicing

mentally preparing or reciting words one intends to say

recounting in order (enumerating)

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?
Two

Four

Three

One
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

ABBA ABBA ABCABC

AABB ABAB ABABAB

AABB ABAB ABCABC
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 thought bubble that the woman imagines rising out of her head

A hot-air balloon passing over the park
8 Which of the following is the meaning of "neat" as used in Line 7?
well-groomed and elegant

habitually tidy, well groomed, or well organized

interesting and fascinating

done with or demonstrating skill or efficiency
9 What tense is used in the poem?
A combination of present and past tense

Past tense

Present perfect tense

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

Omniscient third-person

First-person

Limited or close third-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 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?
Rambunctious and creative

Quiet and withdrawn

Demanding and irritating

Sweet and calm
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

dirty and torn

old and unfashionable

clean and well-fitting
16 In what year was this poem published?
1955

1975

1980

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

Unquestioning and traditional

Supportive and celebratory

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

Motherhood

Friendship

Gender roles
19 Which of the following INCORRECTLY describes the argument this poem makes about gender?
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 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 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 bench next to some dirt

A park

Australia

The woman's home
21 "she says to his departing smile" is an example of which of the following?
Simile

Metonymy

Alliteration

Caesura
22 What is enjambment?
A pause near the middle of a line.

The continuation of a sentence across a line break in a poem.

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.
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 published many of her poems under a male pseudonym.

She was awarded the Robert Frost Medal for her poetry in 1977.

She is from Australia.

She studied music and is a talented pianist.
25 Which of the following is an example of spoken dialogue in the poem?
"Two children whine and bicker,"

"she says to his departing smile."

“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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