In the Park Quizzes

In the Park Quiz

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

Quotation marks to signal dialogue or thought

Allusion

Simile
2 What is the form of the poem?
Elegy

Villanelle

Free verse

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?
Four

One

Two

Three
5 Which of the following best describes the tone of the poem?
Foreboding and dark

Wistful but hopeful

Melancholy and regretful

Cheerful and content
6 Which of the following is the rhyme scheme used in the poem?
AABB ABAB ABCABC

AAAB ABBB ABBABB

AABB ABAB ABABAB

ABBA ABBA ABCABC
7 What is the "small balloon" in Line 8?
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

A helium balloon that the woman's child holds
8 Which of the following is the meaning of "neat" as used in Line 7?
done with or demonstrating skill or efficiency

interesting and fascinating

well-groomed and elegant

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

A combination of present and past tense

Past tense

Present perfect tense
10 From which perspective is the poem narrated?
First-person

A mixture of first- and third-person

Omniscient third-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 husband

Her former lover

Her children

The wind
12 How many stanzas and lines are in the poem?
The first two stanzas are four lines each and the third stanza is six lines.

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

Three stanzas of four lines each.

Three stanzas of six lines each.
13 Which of the following best characterizes the children in the poem?
Quiet and withdrawn

Rambunctious and creative

Demanding and irritating

Sweet and calm
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

clean and well-fitting

dirty and torn
16 In what year was this poem published?
1975

1955

1961

1980
17 What is the poem's attitude towards traditional, patriarchal society?
Unquestioning and traditional

Skeptical but ultimately accepting

Critical and questioning

Supportive and celebratory
18 Which of the following is NOT a theme in the poem?
Motherhood

Friendship

Identity

Gender roles
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?
A park

A bench next to some dirt

Australia

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

Alliteration

Metonymy

Simile
22 What is enjambment?
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.

A pause near the middle of a line.
23 What is the meaning of "nursing" as used in Line 12?
Breastfeeding a baby.

Trying to cure or alleviate an injury.

Slowly drinking.

The profession or practice of providing care for the sick.
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 studied music and is a talented pianist.

She is from Australia.
25 Which of the following is an example of spoken dialogue in the poem?
“Time holds great surprises.”

"but for the grace of God…”

"Two children whine and bicker,"

"she says to his departing smile."

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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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