In the Park Quizzes

In the Park Quiz

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

Simile

Metaphor

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

Elegy

Villanelle

Sonnet
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?
Three

Two

One

Four
5 Which of the following best describes the tone of the poem?
Cheerful and content

Melancholy and regretful

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?
interesting and fascinating

well-groomed and elegant

habitually tidy, well groomed, or well organized

done with or demonstrating skill or efficiency
9 What tense is used in the poem?
Past tense

Present tense

Present perfect tense

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

First-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 former lover

Her children

Her husband

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

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.
13 Which of the following best characterizes the children in the poem?
Demanding and irritating

Quiet and withdrawn

Rambunctious and creative

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 ____.
dirty and torn

old and unfashionable

clean and well-fitting

bold, but in ill taste
16 In what year was this poem published?
1955

1961

1980

1975
17 What is the poem's attitude towards traditional, patriarchal society?
Supportive and celebratory

Unquestioning and traditional

Critical and questioning

Skeptical but ultimately accepting
18 Which of the following is NOT a theme in the poem?
Motherhood

Identity

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 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.

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

The woman's home

A bench next to some dirt

A park
21 "she says to his departing smile" is an example of which of the following?
Simile

Caesura

Metonymy

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

A break between words within a metrical foot.

The occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words.

The continuation of a sentence across a line break in a poem.
23 What is the meaning of "nursing" as used in Line 12?
Slowly drinking.

Breastfeeding a baby.

Trying to cure or alleviate an injury.

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 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.

She studied music and is a talented pianist.
25 Which of the following is an example of spoken dialogue in the poem?
"but for the grace of God…”

“Time holds great surprises.”

"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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