Part A

Question

What is a central idea of "Mending Wall"?

Responses

Two neighbors form an important bond while repairing a wall.
Two neighbors form an important bond while repairing a wall.

The speaker and his neighbor agree to work on a property wall silently because they cannot agree.
The speaker and his neighbor agree to work on a property wall silently because they cannot agree.

The speaker thinks his neighbor is misguided in his views of the purpose of walls and fences.
The speaker thinks his neighbor is misguided in his views of the purpose of walls and fences.

The speaker and his neighbor meet to rebuild a wall and talk about the different forces that bring walls down.
The speaker and his neighbor meet to rebuild a wall and talk about the different forces that bring walls down.
Question 2
Part B - Points depend on a correct response in Part A.

How do the characters contribute to the development of the central idea in Part A?

Responses

The speaker worries over the effect of elves on the wall. His neighbor worries over the effect of hunters on the wall.
The speaker worries over the effect of elves on the wall. His neighbor worries over the effect of hunters on the wall.

The speaker urges his neighbor to invest in cattle to support the wall. His neighbor wants a wall regardless of livestock.
The speaker urges his neighbor to invest in cattle to support the wall. His neighbor wants a wall regardless of livestock.

The speaker worries that his apple orchard will interfere with his neighbor's pine trees. His neighbor does not worry about apples falling from the orchard.
The speaker worries that his apple orchard will interfere with his neighbor's pine trees. His neighbor does not worry about apples falling from the orchard.

The speaker believes that it is important to know what is being walled in or walled out. His neighbor believes that, regardless of the reason, good fences make good neighbors.

Answer 1

Part A

Answer: The speaker thinks his neighbor is misguided in his views of the purpose of walls and fences.

Part B

Answer: The speaker believes that it is important to know what is being walled in or walled out. His neighbor believes that, regardless of the reason, good fences make good neighbors.

These responses highlight the differing perspectives of the speaker and his neighbor regarding the significance and purpose of the wall, thereby contributing to the central idea of the poem.