In the Park Quizzes

In the Park Quiz

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

Allusion

Quotation marks to signal dialogue or thought

Simile
2 What is the form of the poem?
Elegy

Sonnet

Free verse

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

supervising a performer or group that is practicing

practicing a play, piece of music, or other work for later public performance

mentally preparing or reciting words one intends to say
4 The reader can infer that the woman has how many children?
Three

Four

One

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

Melancholy and regretful

Cheerful and content

Wistful but hopeful
6 Which of the following is the rhyme scheme used in the poem?
ABBA ABBA ABCABC

AAAB ABBB ABBABB

AABB ABAB ABABAB

AABB ABAB ABCABC
7 What is the "small balloon" in Line 8?
A hot-air balloon passing over the park

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

A helium balloon that the woman's child holds

An imagined thought bubble rising out of the former lover's head
8 Which of the following is the meaning of "neat" as used in Line 7?
interesting and fascinating

done with or demonstrating skill or efficiency

habitually tidy, well groomed, or well organized

well-groomed and elegant
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?
Omniscient third-person

Limited or close third-person

First-person

A mixture of first- and 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

Her husband

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.

Three stanzas of six lines each.

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

Rambunctious and creative

Quiet and withdrawn

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 ____.
dirty and torn

old and unfashionable

clean and well-fitting

bold, but in ill taste
16 In what year was this poem published?
1961

1975

1980

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

Critical and questioning

Supportive and celebratory

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

Motherhood

Gender roles

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 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.
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?
Metonymy

Caesura

Simile

Alliteration
22 What is enjambment?
A break between words within a metrical foot.

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.
23 What is the meaning of "nursing" as used in Line 12?
Breastfeeding a baby.

Trying to cure or alleviate an injury.

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 studied music and is a talented pianist.

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

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…”

"she says to his departing smile."

"Two children whine and bicker,"

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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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