STEP INTO THE AGED
READING PRACTICE: Poetry

RETURN TO: Poetry Passage

 

Respond to each item in the boxes provided.

When you finish, print this completed page, sign and date it, and give it to your instructor.

1. Which direction for reading the tree poem do you like best?  Why?  Write your reasons down.

2. Most writing can only be read in one direction.  Why do you think that the poem about the tree can be read in different directions?  Write a few ideas down.

 

3. What does “Timeless giant” make you think of?  What kind of tree do you imagine?  Describe it.

 



4. 
How can a tree be “calm and patient”?

5. How can a tree be “Watching humans tear life down”?


6. 
In your own words, explain what a simile is.

7.  In your own words, explain what a metaphor is.

8. The poem in this unit has a tree shape.  How would the poem change if it were written like a regular poem (with the lines one after the other)? 

9.  What is the difference between saying “giant” and “timeless giant”?

 

10. What is the difference between saying “waving gently” and “waving wildly”?  Would “waving wildly” work as well in this poem? 

Note:  All of these questions may be used in a group discussion.

 

Vocabulary Practice

A reading can give you the meanings of important words in many ways:  by saying what it means, by using synonyms, by giving examples, by giving an actual definition, etc.  Complete the sentences to help someone understand the meanings of the underlined words.

1. Example: Poetry is emotional,
it makes you laugh or cry.

 2.  Poetry often has rhyme,
     .

 3.  Poetry always has a rhythm,
  .

 4.  Poetry creates images
   .

 5.  Poetry uses figures of speech,
   .

 6.  "Jane is as pretty as a rose" is a simile,
    .

 7.  "Jane is a rose" is a metaphor,
    .

 8.  In personification,
      .