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.
E The author's word choice suggests that the day is frightening and horrible.The author's word choice suggests that the day is frightening and horrible.

Answer 1

Question 1
The word in the poem that shows the poet's attitude toward daylight or sunlight is:
C gaudy

Question 2
The two statements that best express the effect of the author's use of diction in the previous question 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.

Note: Since "gaudy" implies something that is overly bright or showy (often in a way that lacks taste), it reflects a negative attitude towards daylight. In contrast, the overall mood of the poem highlights the beauty found in the darkness and the night, suggesting a preference for those qualities over the harshness of daytime.