I Died for Beauty

Question

by Emily Dickinson

I died for beauty, but was scarce
Adjusted in the tomb,
When one who died for truth was lain
In an adjoining room.

5 He questioned softly why I failed?
“For beauty,” I replied.
“And I for truth—the two are one;
We brethren are,” he said.

And so, as kinsman met a-night,
10 We talked between the rooms,
Until the moss had reached our lips,
And covered up our names.

1.
The word adjusted in line 2 means —
A.transformed
B.regulated
C.influenced
D.settled

2.
Read line 7 from the poem.

“And I for truth—the two are one;

The poet most likely uses the em dash (—) in this line in order to —
A.emphasize the bond between the characters
B.highlight the characters’ sadness over dying
C.illustrate the passage of time for the characters
D.reflect the characters’ unwillingness to speak

3.
The figurative language “as kinsman met a-night” in line 9 helps the reader understand that the two characters —
A.share a meaningful connection
B.got lost on the same path
C.came from the same place
D.are long-lost relatives

4.
The dialogue in the poem helps convey the idea that the characters are —
A.talkative
B.happy
C.like-minded
D.eager

5.
The speaker’s attitude toward death is BEST described as —
A.relieved
B.cautious
C.disbelieving
D.untroubled

Answer 1

1. The word adjusted in line 2 means —
   D. settled

2. Read line 7 from the poem.
   “And I for truth—the two are one;
   The poet most likely uses the em dash (—) in this line in order to —
   A. emphasize the bond between the characters

3. The figurative language “as kinsman met a-night” in line 9 helps the reader understand that the two characters —
   A. share a meaningful connection

4. The dialogue in the poem helps convey the idea that the characters are —
   C. like-minded

5. The speaker’s attitude toward death is BEST described as —
   D. untroubled