4th Grade EOG Prep Quiz- Poetry

1. Read the following poem and answer the accompanying questions.

The Distant Talking Drum by Isaac Olaleye From deep in the rain forest The sound of a distant talking drum I hear– Far away, far away. For me it calls. Clearly it calls For me to dance, For men to dance, For women to dance, For children to dance. And the sound of the distant drum Echoes through the rain forest. The distant talking drum Is calling across the mighty rain forest For me to come, For me to dance. Now the sound of sweet songs I hear. Beautifully they flow! And the distant talking drum Is still calling Far away, far away. Clearly it calls For me to come, For me to dance. So across the rain forest, The wide, wild, and wonderful rain forest, I go!

Which feeling does “The Distant Talking Drum” create?

Excitement

Fear

Surpise

Sadness

The poem "The Distant Talking Drum" by Isaac Olaleye creates a feeling of excitement. The repetition of phrases like "For me to dance" and "Clearly it calls" conveys a sense of anticipation and energy. The mention of different groups of people, such as men, women, and children, being called to dance further adds to the excitement. The use of exclamation marks and the description of the rain forest as "wide, wild, and wonderful" also contribute to the overall feeling of excitement in the poem.

Explanation

The poem "The Distant Talking Drum" by Isaac Olaleye creates a feeling of excitement. The repetition of phrases like "For me to dance" and "Clearly it calls" conveys a sense of anticipation and energy. The mention of different groups of people, such as men, women, and children, being called to dance further adds to the excitement. The use of exclamation marks and the description of the rain forest as "wide, wild, and wonderful" also contribute to the overall feeling of excitement in the poem.

2. Based on information in the poem, what will most likely happen?

The rainforest will soon become quiet again

The drums will no longer echo

Animals will scatter and run away.

Men, Women, and children will dance

Based on the information in the poem, it can be inferred that after the rainforest becomes quiet again and the drums no longer echo, the animals will scatter and run away. This suggests that the human activity, represented by the men, women, and children dancing, will disrupt the natural environment and cause the animals to flee.

Explanation

Based on the information in the poem, it can be inferred that after the rainforest becomes quiet again and the drums no longer echo, the animals will scatter and run away. This suggests that the human activity, represented by the men, women, and children dancing, will disrupt the natural environment and cause the animals to flee.

3. Who is the “I” in the poem?

A drum

The Rain Forest

The speaker

A forest Animal

The correct answer is the speaker. In poetry, the "I" refers to the persona or the voice of the poem, who is often the speaker. The speaker is the one expressing their thoughts, emotions, or experiences in the poem. In this case, the "I" is the one who is narrating or speaking in the poem.

Explanation

The correct answer is the speaker. In poetry, the "I" refers to the persona or the voice of the poem, who is often the speaker. The speaker is the one expressing their thoughts, emotions, or experiences in the poem. In this case, the "I" is the one who is narrating or speaking in the poem.

4. Why is the drum most likely being beaten?

To warn people that rain is coming

To welcome people to a celebration

To scare animals away from the people near the drum

To help people find their way out of the forest

The drum is most likely being beaten to welcome people to a celebration. This is because beating a drum is a common way to announce the start of an event or to signal the arrival of important guests. It is a traditional practice in many cultures to use drums for celebratory purposes, as the sound can be heard from a distance and attract attention. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that the drum is being used in this context to greet and invite people to join in the festivities.

Explanation

The drum is most likely being beaten to welcome people to a celebration. This is because beating a drum is a common way to announce the start of an event or to signal the arrival of important guests. It is a traditional practice in many cultures to use drums for celebratory purposes, as the sound can be heard from a distance and attract attention. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that the drum is being used in this context to greet and invite people to join in the festivities.

5. How is the drum most like a person?

It echoes through the forest.

It makes the sound of sweetsongs

It communicates with people.

It makes people dance.

The drum is most like a person because it communicates with people. Just like how people use language to convey messages and ideas, the drum uses its sound to communicate with others. It can create different rhythms and beats to express emotions, convey information, or even tell stories. Through its sound, the drum is able to connect with people and engage them in a form of communication, making it similar to how humans interact and communicate with each other.

Explanation

The drum is most like a person because it communicates with people. Just like how people use language to convey messages and ideas, the drum uses its sound to communicate with others. It can create different rhythms and beats to express emotions, convey information, or even tell stories. Through its sound, the drum is able to connect with people and engage them in a form of communication, making it similar to how humans interact and communicate with each other.

6. How does the author demonstrate the echoes of the drum in this poem?

The location of the drum is clearly described

Someone calls out just like the drum does

The exact sound of the drum is explained

Some words are repeated throughout the poem

The author demonstrates the echoes of the drum in this poem by repeating some words throughout the poem. This repetition creates a rhythmic effect, similar to the sound of a drum. By using this technique, the author is able to evoke the sound and presence of the drum, emphasizing its importance in the poem.

Explanation

The author demonstrates the echoes of the drum in this poem by repeating some words throughout the poem. This repetition creates a rhythmic effect, similar to the sound of a drum. By using this technique, the author is able to evoke the sound and presence of the drum, emphasizing its importance in the poem.