Question

The Skater of Ghost Lake
by William Rose Benet


Ghost Lake’s a dark lake, a deep lake and cold:

Ice black as ebony, frostily scrolled;

Far in its shadows a faint sound whirs;

Steep stand the sentineled deep, dark firs.


A brisk sound, a swift sound, a ring-tinkle-ring;

Flit-flit,--a shadow with a stoop and a swing,

Flies from the shadow through the crackling cold.

Ghost Lake’s a deep lake, a dark lake and old!




"The Skater of Ghost Lake", by William Rose Benét

Question
Use the stanzas to answer the question.

Which answer choice correctly explains how the poet’s diction affects the meaning of these stanzas?

Responses

The focus on how old the lake is conveys a sense of mystery and wisdom.
The focus on how old the lake is conveys a sense of mystery and wisdom. - no response given

The description of the cold, frozen lake establishes the setting of the poem.
The description of the cold, frozen lake establishes the setting of the poem. - no response given

The emphasis on the darkness of the lake and the presence of a mysterious shadow make the lake seem dangerous.
The emphasis on the darkness of the lake and the presence of a mysterious shadow make the lake seem dangerous. - no response given

The emphasis on the age of the lake and the description of the dark, steep fir trees shows that the lake is a place of historical importance.

Answer 1

The emphasis on the darkness of the lake and the presence of a mysterious shadow make the lake seem dangerous.

The poet’s word choices — dark, deep, cold, ice black as ebony, shadows, a shadow with a stoop and a swing, sentineled firs, crackling cold — create an ominous, threatening mood that suggests danger rather than simply age or historical importance.