"Oh Captain, My Captain" And "I Saw Old General At Bay" - Honors - 4
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- 1.
Which phrase most expresses the difficult time the ship has had in “O Captain! My Captain!”?
- A.
“O Captain!”
- B.
“our fearful trip”
- C.
“prize we sought”
- D.
“the bells I hear”
Correct Answer
B. “our fearful trip”Explanation
The phrase "our fearful trip" most expresses the difficult time the ship has had in "O Captain! My Captain!" This phrase suggests that the journey or voyage of the ship has been filled with fear and challenges, indicating a difficult time.Rate this question:
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- 2.
What sound welcomes the ship as it arrives in port in “O Captain! My Captain!”?
- A.
Bells ringing
- B.
Wind blowing
- C.
A heart beating
- D.
The Captain falling
Correct Answer
A. Bells ringingExplanation
In the poem "O Captain! My Captain!" by Walt Whitman, the sound that welcomes the ship as it arrives in port is the ringing of bells. This sound symbolizes a joyful and celebratory atmosphere, as bells are often rung to mark important occasions or to announce the arrival of something significant. The ringing of bells in this context suggests that the ship's arrival is a momentous event and that the crew and the people on shore are excited and happy to see it.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Whitman describes the Captain’s death as a dream because he ...
- A.
Realizes that the Captain is still alive
- B.
Remembers a dream about the Captain
- C.
Only imagines seeing the Captain dead
- D.
Wishes so much that it were only a dream
Correct Answer
D. Wishes so much that it were only a dreamExplanation
Whitman describes the Captain's death as a dream because he wishes so much that it were only a dream. This suggests that he is in denial and struggling to accept the reality of the Captain's death. By describing it as a dream, Whitman is expressing his desire for the Captain to still be alive and his unwillingness to face the painful truth.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Which piece of historical background for “O Captain! My Captain!” best explains the following line of the poem? My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will,
- A.
President Lincoln’s death was tragic.
- B.
The poet took care of injured soldiers.
- C.
The poet had many feelings about the war.
- D.
The Civil War ended in the spring of 1865.
Correct Answer
B. The poet took care of injured soldiers. -
- 5.
What is the speaker doing at the end of “O Captain! My Captain!”?
- A.
Standing on shore
- B.
Ringing the ship’s bell
- C.
Falling from the deck
- D.
Walking the deck sadly
Correct Answer
D. Walking the deck sadlyExplanation
In the poem "O Captain! My Captain!", the speaker is walking the deck sadly at the end. This can be inferred from the line "From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won" which suggests that the ship has returned from a successful voyage but the captain is not there to witness it. The speaker's sadness is further emphasized in the line "Exult, O shores, and ring, O bells! But I, with mournful tread, Walk the deck my Captain lies, Fallen cold and dead." This indicates that the speaker is walking the deck in a mournful manner because their captain has died.Rate this question:
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- 6.
The repetition of the phrase "fallen cold and dead" emphasizes what idea?
- A.
Speaker’s anger at the victory celebration
- B.
Way the speaker walks around the Captain
- C.
Speaker’s desire to tell the news of the death
- D.
Importance of the tragic death to the speaker
Correct Answer
D. Importance of the tragic death to the speakerExplanation
The repetition of the phrase "fallen cold and dead" suggests that the speaker places a significant emphasis on the tragic death. This repetition highlights the speaker's emotional connection to the death and conveys the importance of the loss to the speaker.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Why is there an emergency in “I Saw Old General at Bay”?
- A.
Enemy troops surround the soldiers.
- B.
Too few soldiers volunteer.
- C.
The general cannot see.
- D.
Night is coming on.
Correct Answer
A. Enemy troops surround the soldiers.Explanation
In the poem "I Saw Old General at Bay," there is an emergency because enemy troops surround the soldiers. This means that the soldiers are under attack and in a dangerous situation. The presence of enemy troops indicates a threat to the soldiers' safety and the need for immediate action or defense.Rate this question:
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- 8.
The number of volunteers in “I Saw Old General at Bay” shows that
- A.
Everyone wants to escape death
- B.
The general makes his men fearful
- C.
The soldiers are loyal to the general
- D.
Everyone wants to fight to the death
Correct Answer
C. The soldiers are loyal to the generalExplanation
The number of volunteers in "I Saw Old General at Bay" shows that the soldiers are loyal to the general. This can be inferred because the fact that there are volunteers willing to fight for the general indicates their loyalty and dedication to him. If the soldiers were not loyal, they would not willingly volunteer to fight for him.Rate this question:
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- 9.
The selected volunteers respond to getting their instructions in “I Saw Old General at Bay” by
- A.
Becoming afraid
- B.
Changing their minds
- C.
Doubting the adjutant
- D.
Listening very carefully
Correct Answer
D. Listening very carefullyExplanation
In the poem "I Saw Old General at Bay," the selected volunteers respond to getting their instructions by listening very carefully. This means that they pay close attention to the instructions given to them. They understand the importance of following the instructions accurately and do not take them lightly. They are attentive and focused, ensuring that they understand and remember the instructions correctly.Rate this question:
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- 10.
The leader in each poem has earned
- A.
Cheering
- B.
Death
- C.
Loyalty
- D.
Victory
Correct Answer
D. VictoryExplanation
In each poem, the leader has earned something, and the word "victory" fits this pattern. It implies that the leader has achieved success or triumphed in some way. The other options, such as cheering, death, and loyalty, do not necessarily indicate something that the leader has earned. Therefore, "victory" is the most suitable answer.Rate this question:
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- 11.
What does the speaker in “O Captain! My Captain!” express by using the words “my Captain” in the title and throughout the poem?
- A.
The speaker is related to the Captain.
- B.
The Captain’s death must remain a secret.
- C.
The speaker feels very loyal to the Captain.
- D.
Only the Captain and speaker are on the ship.
Correct Answer
C. The speaker feels very loyal to the Captain.Explanation
The speaker in "O Captain! My Captain!" expresses a strong sense of loyalty to the Captain by using the words "my Captain" in the title and throughout the poem. The use of possessive pronoun "my" indicates a personal connection and devotion to the Captain. This suggests that the speaker holds the Captain in high regard and feels a deep sense of loyalty towards them.Rate this question:
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- 12.
What are the people on shore doing in the following line? While follow eyes the steady keel,3 the vessel grim and daring:
- A.
Watching the ship as it sails home
- B.
Trying to sail out and follow the ship
- C.
Enjoying the sound of the ship’s bells
- D.
Wondering about the prize the ship has won
Correct Answer
A. Watching the ship as it sails homeExplanation
The people on shore are watching the ship as it sails home. This is indicated by the phrase "While follow eyes the steady keel" which suggests that their eyes are following the ship's keel as it moves.Rate this question:
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- 13.
Asking the Captain to “rise up” from the deck is the speaker’s way to express his
- A.
Belief in an afterlife for the Captain
- B.
Wish that the dead Captain could rise
- C.
Excitement at the ringing of the bells
- D.
Attempt to hide the death from other people
Correct Answer
B. Wish that the dead Captain could riseExplanation
The speaker asking the Captain to "rise up" from the deck indicates their desire or wish for the dead Captain to come back to life. It suggests that the speaker wants the Captain to be alive again, possibly expressing their grief or longing for the Captain's presence.Rate this question:
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- 14.
Who calls for the Captain as the ship sails into the port in “O Captain! My Captain!”?
- A.
Eager crowds on shore
- B.
The Captain’s children
- C.
All the ship’s sailors
- D.
A large marching band
Correct Answer
A. Eager crowds on shoreExplanation
In the poem "O Captain! My Captain!" by Walt Whitman, the speaker is referring to the crowd on shore who calls for the Captain as the ship sails into the port. The poem is an extended metaphor for the death of President Abraham Lincoln, and the eager crowds on shore represent the American people who are celebrating the end of the Civil War and the return of their leader. The poem expresses the speaker's deep admiration and grief for the Captain, who symbolizes Lincoln, and the enthusiastic response from the crowds emphasizes the impact and importance of his leadership.Rate this question:
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- 15.
Consider Whitman’s style in the following line of “O Captain! My Captain!” The description of the ship’s safety is ironic because the The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, its voyage closed and done,
- A.
Crowds are trying to take over the ship
- B.
Speaker fears that lives are in danger
- C.
Ship’s Captain lies dead on the deck
- D.
Ship is still trying to sail to safety
Correct Answer
C. Ship’s Captain lies dead on the deckExplanation
The description of the ship's safety is ironic because the ship's Captain lies dead on the deck. This suggests that despite the appearance of safety and the completion of the voyage, there is a tragic loss of life on board. The juxtaposition of the ship being "anchor'd safe and sound" with the captain's death creates a sense of irony and contrasts the joy of the ship's return with the sorrow of losing its leader.Rate this question:
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- 16.
Consider the historical context of “O Captain! My Captain!” The references to a finished voyage most likely symbolizes
- A.
Lincoln’s assassination
- B.
The end of the Civil War
- C.
The last warship’s arrival
- D.
Injured soldiers’ recovery
Correct Answer
B. The end of the Civil WarExplanation
The correct answer is the end of the Civil War. In the historical context of "O Captain! My Captain!", the references to a finished voyage most likely symbolize the end of the Civil War. The poem was written by Walt Whitman as an elegy for President Abraham Lincoln after his assassination. The "Captain" in the poem represents Lincoln, and the "finished voyage" represents the end of the war and the nation's journey through the Civil War.Rate this question:
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- 17.
What does the speaker in “I Saw Old General at Bay” think about the General’s age?
- A.
The General’s sight is too poor to lead troops.
- B.
Although old, the General still has energy.
- C.
Soldiers deny that their General is old.
- D.
The General is too old to win a battle.
Correct Answer
B. Although old, the General still has energy.Explanation
The speaker in "I Saw Old General at Bay" thinks that although the General is old, he still possesses energy.Rate this question:
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- 18.
It is likely that the adjutant in “I Saw Old General at Bay” looks “very grave” because
- A.
The volunteers’ mission is very dangerous
- B.
He believes that the General’s plan is wrong
- C.
He also wants to volunteer to run enemy lines
- D.
The volunteers misunderstand their instructions
Correct Answer
A. The volunteers’ mission is very dangerousExplanation
The correct answer is that the volunteers' mission is very dangerous. This can be inferred from the fact that the adjutant looks "very grave," which suggests that he is concerned or worried about the mission. If the mission was not dangerous, there would be no reason for the adjutant to look grave.Rate this question:
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- 19.
What quality of the army seems to impress the speaker the most in “I Saw Old General at Bay?”
- A.
Brilliant military planning
- B.
Expressions of seriousness
- C.
Recognition of an emergency
- D.
Loyalty in dire circumstances
Correct Answer
D. Loyalty in dire circumstancesExplanation
The speaker in "I Saw Old General at Bay" seems to be most impressed by the army's loyalty in dire circumstances. This suggests that despite facing difficult situations, the army remains loyal and committed to their cause. This quality of loyalty is likely seen as admirable and inspiring by the speaker.Rate this question:
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- 20.
What is one idea that both poems express?
- A.
All wars come to a successful end.
- B.
People are unaware how to win a war.
- C.
War creates many reasons to celebrate.
- D.
War puts good people in serious danger.
Correct Answer
D. War puts good people in serious danger.Explanation
Both poems express the idea that war puts good people in serious danger. This can be inferred from the statement that "war puts good people in serious danger." The other options do not explicitly mention the danger faced by good people in war.Rate this question:
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Mar 20, 2023Quiz Edited by
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May 08, 2013Quiz Created by
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