She Walks in Beauty

Question

George Gordon Byron

SHE walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellow'd to that tender light5
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impair'd the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;10
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,15
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!
Question 1
Which word in the poem shows the poet's attitude toward daylight or sunlight?
Responses
A cloudlesscloudless
B darkdark
C gaudygaudy
D starrystarry
Question 2
Which two statements best express the effect of the author's use of diction in the previous question?
Responses
A The author's word choice suggests that the day is brash and garish.The author's word choice suggests that the day is brash and garish.
B The author's word choice suggests that the day is warm and inviting.The author's word choice suggests that the day is warm and inviting.
C The author's word choice suggests that the day is crass or classless.The author's word choice suggests that the day is crass or classless.
D The author's word choice suggests that the day is beautiful and comforting.The author's word choice suggests that the day is beautiful and comforting.

Answer 1

Question 1: Which word in the poem shows the poet's attitude toward daylight or sunlight?

The correct response is: C gaudy

Question 2: Which two statements best express the effect of the author's use of diction in the previous question?

The correct responses are: A The author's word choice suggests that the day is brash and garish. D The author's word choice suggests that the day is beautiful and comforting.

However, if you need to choose only two and are looking for a contrasting view of daylight versus nighttime beauty, the best fit would be A, as it highlights Byron's negative view of daylight associated with the word "gaudy." If only one statement can be selected from your response options, choose A. If both can be selected for a nuanced understanding (that both "beauty" and "gaudiness" can exist), then include D as well.