10th Grade Test Study Guide

Your test will be covering these poems:

'Meeting at Night', 'The Oak', 'A Lonely Pine is Standing', 'I Like to See it Lap the Miles', 'The Deserted House', 'The Story-Teller', 'The Road Not Taken', and 'Excelsior'.


You need to study the comprehension questions in connection with these poems and anything else that is connected to them in your class notes, i.e. you should be able to summarize both the literal and figurative meanings of each poem and talk about them on a VARIETY of levels.

You must know the definitions for the literary terms that accompany these poems: i.e. connotation, denotation, figurative language, literal language, imagery, simile, personification, metaphor, symbol, and overstatement/hyperbole. You must also remember the definitions of dialogue and refrain since those are dominant within 'Excelsior' - they should already be in your notes and are also available in the back of your textbook in the glossary of literary terms.


It is VERY likely that this test will contain one passage identification and analysis.

Remember, if you did poorly on the last exam, it is VERY important to do well on this one, since there were only two exams this quarter and there are no retests. If you have questions about any of the poems, PLEASE come and talk to me about them.

Lastly, don't be depressed about having a test so close to your final exam-- think of it as "pre-study" for your final exam.

Excelsior!