33 pages 1 hour read

Billy Collins

Introduction to Poetry

Fiction | Poem | Adult | Published in 1988

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Literary Device Questions

1. How many metaphors are in this poem?

A) 3

B) 4

C) 5

D) 6

2. What poetic device is used in the line “But all they want to do”?

A) anaphora

B) volta

C) personification

D) simile

3. Which of these ideas best describes the theme of the poem?

A) Reading poetry is a torturous experience.

B) Reading poetry should be a fun, active experience led by one’s own curiosity.

C) One can only make sense of a poem by beating it into submission.

D) Poetry is dark and full of complicated secrets.

For the following question, write a one-sentence response based on details in the poem.

4. Give an example of a line that follows an iambic meter. 

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By Billy Collins

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