Graphical and Structural Elements in Poetry — Quiz
Question 8 • English IV
Read the excerpt from "My City” by James Weldon Johnson. Will it be that no more I shall see the trees Or smell the flowers or hear the singing birds Or watch the flashing streams or patient herds? No, I am sure it will be none of these. How does the poet’s use of punctuation develop the tone of contemplation in this excerpt?
Answer
A
It explains to the reader that the speaker is consumed by memories of the past.
B
It helps signal to the reader that the speaker is grappling with a particular thought.
C
It forces the reader to consider whether the speaker is presenting truthful ideas.
D
It pushes the reader to engage in trying to answer the question the speaker poses.
Explanation
The opening question mark shows the speaker turning over a serious thought: whether he will lose the chance to experience nature. The following sentence, “No, I am sure it will be none of these,” answers that question and shows him working through it. This punctuation supports a contemplative tone, so the best choice is that it signals the speaker is grappling with a particular thought.
AI-written and checked against the verified answer.