The Skater of Ghost Lakeby William Rose BenetGhost 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 BenétQuestionUse the stanzas to answer the question.Which answer choice correctly explains how the poet’s diction affects the meaning of these stanzas?(1 point)ResponsesThe 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.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.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.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 correct answer choice that explains how the poet’s diction affects the meaning of these stanzas is:

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

This choice captures how the poet uses diction related to darkness and shadow to create an atmosphere of danger and unease, contributing to the overall meaning and mood of the poem.