“Paul Revere’s Ride” is about Paul Revere, a Patriot in the American Revolution who rode in 1775 to warn the colonists that British troops were coming. Read the excerpt from the poem. Then, answer the question(s).

Question

Then he said, “Good night!” and with muffled oar

Silently rowed to the Charlestown shore,

Just as the moon rose over the bay,

Where swinging wide at her moorings lay

5 The Somerset, British man-of-war;

A phantom ship, with each mast and spar

Across the moon like a prison bar,

And a huge black hulk, that was magnified

By its own reflection in the tide.

Multiple Choice Question
Which is the best definition of muffled as it is used in the excerpt? Base your answer on context.
A.
sharpened
B.
quieted
C.
amplified
D.
carved

Answer 1

The best definition of "muffled" as it is used in the excerpt is B. quieted. In this context, it refers to the oars being used in a quiet manner to avoid making noise while rowing.