Question

Ho! we were strong, we were swift, we were brave.
Youth was a challenge, and Life was a fight.
All that was best in us gladly we gave,
Sprang from the rally, and leapt for the height.
Smiling is Love in a foam of Spring flowers:
Harden our hearts to him—on let us press!
Oh, what a triumph and pride shall be ours!
See where it beacons, the star of success!

Cares seem to crowd on us—so much to do;
New fields to conquer, and time's on the wing.
Grey hairs are showing, a wrinkle or two;
Somehow our footstep is losing its spring.
Pleasure's forsaken us, Love ceased to smile;
Youth has been funeralled; Age travels fast.
Sometimes we wonder: is it worth while?
There! we have gained to the summit at last.

Aye, we have triumphed! Now must we haste,
Revel in victory ...why! what is wrong?
Life's choicest vintage is flat to the taste —
Are we too late? Have we laboured too long?
Wealth, power, fame we hold ...ah! but the truth:
Would we not give this vain glory of ours
For one mad, glad year of glorious youth,
Life in the Springtide, and Love in the flowers.

Why did the poet write the poem in three stanzas?


A. He followed a standard poetic structure.

B. He wanted to make the poem easier to follow.

C. He chose to represent a distinct emotion in each stanza.

D. He used each stanza to represent a different stage in life.
Question 2
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Select the line from the poem that supports the answer to the previous question.


A. “Grey hairs are showing, a wrinkle or two” (line 11)

B. “Smiling is Love in a foam of Spring flowers” (line 5)

C. “Revel in victory . . . why! what is wrong?” (line 18)

D. “See where it beacons, the star of success!” (line 8)
Question 3
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What does the poet mean by “Youth has been funeralled” in line 14?


A. Fun is for the young.

B. The subject of the poem has died.

C. Youth is something to be celebrated.

D. This is a stage where youth, and all its joy, is over.
Question 4
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Based on the point of view, what can we assume about the poet?


A. He lives a good life.

B. He didn’t enjoy his youth.

C. He is not happy with his success.

D. He wants his children to learn from his mistakes.
Question 5
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Select the line from the poem that supports the answer to the previous question.


A. "Ho! We were strong, we were swift, we were brave" (line 1)

B. “Youth was a challenge, and Life was a fight” (line 2)

C. “Cares seem to crowd on us—so much to do” (line 11)

D. “Life’s choicest vintage is flat to the taste” (line 19)
Question 6
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Which of the following best explains what might be gained if the poem were told from the point of view of the narrator's life partner?


A. The reader would realize why they were victorious.

B. The reader would better understand why they aged so quickly.

C. The reader could determine whether or not the feelings are mutual.

D. The reader could learn the secret to a successful relationship.
Question 7
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Reread stanza 2:

Cares seem to crowd on us—so much to do;
New fields to conquer, and time's on the wing.
Grey hairs are showing, a wrinkle or two;
Somehow our footstep is losing its spring.
Pleasure's forsaken us, Love ceased to smile;
Youth has been funeralled; Age travels fast.
Sometimes we wonder: is it worth while?
There! we have gained to the summit at last.


How does the author's use of the words seem and somehow contribute to tone?


A. These words create a tone of achievement later in life.

B. These words reveal a tone of uncertainty around how quickly things have changed.

C. These words create a tone of amazement at how they have grown.

D. These words reveal a tone of frustration about the changes in life.
Question 8
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Which detail from the text is not significant to add to a summary?


A. Aye we have triumphed! Now must we haste,

B. In youth we "harden our hearts" against love

C. In middle age, "We have gained to the summit at last"

D. In old age, we realize we are "too late" for love.

Answers

GPT-4o mini
Here are the answers based on the provided poem:

**Question 1: Why did the poet write the poem in three stanzas?**

**Answer: D. He used each stanza to represent a different stage in life.**

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**Question 2: Select the line from the poem that supports the answer to the previous question.**

**Answer: A. “Grey hairs are showing, a wrinkle or two” (line 11)**

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**Question 3: What does the poet mean by “Youth has been funeralled” in line 14?**

**Answer: D. This is a stage where youth, and all its joy, is over.**

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**Question 4: Based on the point of view, what can we assume about the poet?**

**Answer: C. He is not happy with his success.**

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**Question 5: Select the line from the poem that supports the answer to the previous question.**

**Answer: D. “Life’s choicest vintage is flat to the taste” (line 19)**

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**Question 6: Which of the following best explains what might be gained if the poem were told from the point of view of the narrator's life partner?**

**Answer: C. The reader could determine whether or not the feelings are mutual.**

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**Question 7: How does the author's use of the words seem and somehow contribute to tone?**

**Answer: B. These words reveal a tone of uncertainty around how quickly things have changed.**

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**Question 8: Which detail from the text is not significant to add to a summary?**

**Answer: A. Aye we have triumphed! Now must we haste,**

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Feel free to ask if you need further assistance or explanations!

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