In the Park Quizzes

In the Park Quiz

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

Metaphor

Quotation marks to signal dialogue or thought

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

Sonnet

Elegy

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

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

recounting in order (enumerating)

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

Four

Three

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

Wistful but hopeful

Foreboding and dark

Melancholy and regretful
6 Which of the following is the rhyme scheme used in the poem?
ABBA ABBA ABCABC

AABB ABAB ABCABC

AABB ABAB ABABAB

AAAB ABBB ABBABB
7 What is the "small balloon" in Line 8?
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

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?
well-groomed and elegant

done with or demonstrating skill or efficiency

habitually tidy, well groomed, or well organized

interesting and fascinating
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?
Limited or close third-person

A mixture of first- and third-person

First-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

Her husband

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 seven lines.

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

Three stanzas of four lines each.
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Quiet and withdrawn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

End-stopping

Caesura

All of the above
15 The poem implies that the woman's clothes are ____.
old and unfashionable

dirty and torn

bold, but in ill taste

clean and well-fitting
16 In what year was this poem published?
1961

1975

1955

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

Skeptical but ultimately accepting

Supportive and celebratory

Unquestioning and traditional
18 Which of the following is NOT a theme in the poem?
Identity

Friendship

Motherhood

Gender roles
19 Which of the following INCORRECTLY describes the argument this poem makes about gender?
The poem suggests that, contrary to the prevailing view in the 1960s, not all women are happy with the duties of 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 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

A bench next to some dirt

A park

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

Metonymy

Caesura

Simile
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 studied music and is a talented pianist.

She is from Australia.

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

“Time holds great surprises.”

"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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