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?
Villanelle

Elegy

Sonnet

Free verse
3 Which of the following best captures the meaning of "rehearsing" as used in Line 9?
practicing a play, piece of music, or other work for later public performance

supervising a performer or group that is practicing

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?
Two

One

Four

Three
5 Which of the following best describes the tone of the poem?
Melancholy and regretful

Wistful but hopeful

Foreboding and dark

Cheerful and content
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 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?
habitually tidy, well groomed, or well organized

interesting and fascinating

well-groomed and elegant

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?
First-person

Limited or close third-person

A mixture of first- and third-person

Omniscient third-person
11 The final line of the poem concludes with "They have eaten me alive." To whom is the woman speaking?
The wind

Her husband

Her children

Her former lover
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.

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Quiet and withdrawn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

Caesura

End-stopping

All of the above
15 The poem implies that the woman's clothes are ____.
clean and well-fitting

bold, but in ill taste

dirty and torn

old and unfashionable
16 In what year was this poem published?
1980

1961

1975

1955
17 What is the poem's attitude towards traditional, patriarchal society?
Skeptical but ultimately accepting

Critical and questioning

Unquestioning and traditional

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 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.

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.
20 Which of the following best describes the setting of the poem?
A bench next to some dirt

Australia

The woman's home

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

Simile

Metonymy

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?
The profession or practice of providing care for the sick.

Trying to cure or alleviate an injury.

Slowly drinking.

Breastfeeding a baby.
24 Which of the following details about Gwen Harwood is most relevant to the themes of the poem?
She studied music and is a talented pianist.

She published many of her poems under a male pseudonym.

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?
"she says to his departing smile."

"Two children whine and bicker,"

"but for the grace of God…”

“Time holds great surprises.”

In the Park Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for In the Park is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Ask Your Own Question

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.

Read the Study Guide for In the Park…