15
QuizMultiple Choice

The Poetry of Identity

Question 15 • HVA 26-27 IM English ELA 11 A

Read the excerpt from "Introduction to Poetry" by Billy Collins.I want them to waterskiacross the surface of a poemwaving at the author's name on the shore.How does the figurative language in this excerpt reveal Collins’s message?

Answer
A
It suggests that poems have fun, sporty themes.
B
It suggests that readers take time to meet poets.
C
It suggests that readers have fun exploring poetry.
D
It suggests that poems are easy to understand.

Explanation

The speaker compares reading a poem to waterskiing across its surface, which creates an image of movement and enjoyment. Waving at the author’s name suggests readers should focus on experiencing the poem rather than stopping to study the poet. The figurative language therefore suggests that readers should have fun exploring poetry, not that poems must have sporty themes or be easy to understand.

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