Question
Heart to Heart
Directions: Read the poem below and answer the questions that follow.
Heart to Heart
By Rita Dove
It’s neither red
nor sweet.
It doesn’t melt
or turn over,
break or harden, 5
so it can’t feel
pain,
yearning,
regret.
It doesn’t have
a tip to spin on, 10
it isn’t even
shapely —
just a thick clutch
of muscle,
lopsided,
mute. Still, 15
I feel it inside
its cage sounding
a dull tattoo:1
I want, I want —
but I can’t open it:
there’s no key. 20
I can’t wear it
on my sleeve,
or tell you from
the bottom of it
how I feel. Here,
it’s all yours, now — 25
but you’ll have
to take me,
too.
1. a rhythmic tapping or beat
Question at position 1
1
Multiple Choice
1 point
Question at position 1
What do the speaker’s comments in lines 6–9 suggest?
What do the speaker’s comments in lines 6–9 suggest?
The heart cannot be controlled.
Emotions are too powerful to express.
The speaker wishes to avoid feeling.
The heart is emotionless.
Question at position 2
2
Multiple Choice
1 point
Question at position 2
In line 14, the poet’s use of the phrase “thick clutch” emphasizes the –
In line 14, the poet’s use of the phrase “thick clutch” emphasizes the –
fragility of emotions.
heart’s inability to change.
speaker’s detachment.
strength and weight of the heart.
Question at position 3
3
Multiple Choice
1 point
Question at position 3
Lines 29-32 convey the speaker’s _____________________ to share emotions.
Lines 29-32 convey the speaker’s _____________________ to share emotions.
persistence
willingness
reluctance
hesitation
Question at position 4
4
Multiple Choice
1 point
Question at position 4
In line 16, the poet’s use of the word “lopsided” suggests –
In line 16, the poet’s use of the word “lopsided” suggests –
the shape of the heart.
the balance of emotions.
the irregularity of love.
the speaker’s pain.
Question at position 5
5
Multiple Answer
2 points
Question at position 5
How does the poet’s use of sensory language in lines 15-19 help develop the idea of the speaker’s struggle with expression? Select TWO correct answers.
How does the poet’s use of sensory language in lines 15-19 help develop the idea of the speaker’s struggle with expression? Select TWO correct answers.
The term “key” symbolizes an easy solution to unlock emotions.
The word “mute” illustrates that the speaker cannot communicate their feelings directly.
The word “dull” conveys a lack of vibrancy in the heart’s communication.
The phrase “sounding a tattoo” suggests the heart beats strongly with emotions.
The phrase “inside its cage” creates a physical image of the heart being trapped or
confined.
Directions: Read the poem below and answer the questions that follow.
Heart to Heart
By Rita Dove
It’s neither red
nor sweet.
It doesn’t melt
or turn over,
break or harden, 5
so it can’t feel
pain,
yearning,
regret.
It doesn’t have
a tip to spin on, 10
it isn’t even
shapely —
just a thick clutch
of muscle,
lopsided,
mute. Still, 15
I feel it inside
its cage sounding
a dull tattoo:1
I want, I want —
but I can’t open it:
there’s no key. 20
I can’t wear it
on my sleeve,
or tell you from
the bottom of it
how I feel. Here,
it’s all yours, now — 25
but you’ll have
to take me,
too.
1. a rhythmic tapping or beat
Question at position 1
1
Multiple Choice
1 point
Question at position 1
What do the speaker’s comments in lines 6–9 suggest?
What do the speaker’s comments in lines 6–9 suggest?
The heart cannot be controlled.
Emotions are too powerful to express.
The speaker wishes to avoid feeling.
The heart is emotionless.
Question at position 2
2
Multiple Choice
1 point
Question at position 2
In line 14, the poet’s use of the phrase “thick clutch” emphasizes the –
In line 14, the poet’s use of the phrase “thick clutch” emphasizes the –
fragility of emotions.
heart’s inability to change.
speaker’s detachment.
strength and weight of the heart.
Question at position 3
3
Multiple Choice
1 point
Question at position 3
Lines 29-32 convey the speaker’s _____________________ to share emotions.
Lines 29-32 convey the speaker’s _____________________ to share emotions.
persistence
willingness
reluctance
hesitation
Question at position 4
4
Multiple Choice
1 point
Question at position 4
In line 16, the poet’s use of the word “lopsided” suggests –
In line 16, the poet’s use of the word “lopsided” suggests –
the shape of the heart.
the balance of emotions.
the irregularity of love.
the speaker’s pain.
Question at position 5
5
Multiple Answer
2 points
Question at position 5
How does the poet’s use of sensory language in lines 15-19 help develop the idea of the speaker’s struggle with expression? Select TWO correct answers.
How does the poet’s use of sensory language in lines 15-19 help develop the idea of the speaker’s struggle with expression? Select TWO correct answers.
The term “key” symbolizes an easy solution to unlock emotions.
The word “mute” illustrates that the speaker cannot communicate their feelings directly.
The word “dull” conveys a lack of vibrancy in the heart’s communication.
The phrase “sounding a tattoo” suggests the heart beats strongly with emotions.
The phrase “inside its cage” creates a physical image of the heart being trapped or
confined.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Here are the answers to the questions based on the poem "Heart to Heart" by Rita Dove:
**Question at position 1**
What do the speaker’s comments in lines 6–9 suggest?
**Answer:** The heart is emotionless.
---
**Question at position 2**
In line 14, the poet’s use of the phrase “thick clutch” emphasizes the –
**Answer:** strength and weight of the heart.
---
**Question at position 3**
Lines 29-32 convey the speaker’s _____________________ to share emotions.
**Answer:** reluctance.
---
**Question at position 4**
In line 16, the poet’s use of the word “lopsided” suggests –
**Answer:** the irregularity of love.
---
**Question at position 5**
How does the poet’s use of sensory language in lines 15-19 help develop the idea of the speaker’s struggle with expression? Select TWO correct answers.
**Answer:**
- The word “mute” illustrates that the speaker cannot communicate their feelings directly.
- The phrase “inside its cage” creates a physical image of the heart being trapped or confined.
---
If you have any further questions or need additional clarification, feel free to ask!
**Question at position 1**
What do the speaker’s comments in lines 6–9 suggest?
**Answer:** The heart is emotionless.
---
**Question at position 2**
In line 14, the poet’s use of the phrase “thick clutch” emphasizes the –
**Answer:** strength and weight of the heart.
---
**Question at position 3**
Lines 29-32 convey the speaker’s _____________________ to share emotions.
**Answer:** reluctance.
---
**Question at position 4**
In line 16, the poet’s use of the word “lopsided” suggests –
**Answer:** the irregularity of love.
---
**Question at position 5**
How does the poet’s use of sensory language in lines 15-19 help develop the idea of the speaker’s struggle with expression? Select TWO correct answers.
**Answer:**
- The word “mute” illustrates that the speaker cannot communicate their feelings directly.
- The phrase “inside its cage” creates a physical image of the heart being trapped or confined.
---
If you have any further questions or need additional clarification, feel free to ask!