Janet S. Wong - Author of Acclaimed Children's Books

Poetry Quiz Answers

1. What makes a poem? Poems:
A. sometimes use rhyme, repetition, or rhythm to sound like songs
B. usually have lines of varying length and lots of white space
C. should make pictures in a reader's mind
D. all of the above

Answer: D. These are elements that a poem often has, but a poem doesn't need to have any of these things. You can have a poem with no imagery, and no rhyme, repetition, or rhythm. It can look like a regular paragraph; this is often called a “prose poem.”

2. Simile is:
A. a poem with a happy face on it
B. a long poem
C. where something is compared to something else using “like” or “as”
D. the use of confusion in a poem

Answer: C. Similes can be confusing, and might be so clever that they inspire smiley faces, but the answer is C. Here's an example of simile from “The Onion,” in Janet Wong's book The Rainbow Hand: Poems about Mothers and Children: “Mother is like an onion / her golden skin smooth and soft. / She keeps you strong…”

3. A book of poems is called:
A. a collection
B. an anthology
C. a novel
D. all of the above

Answer: D. A book of poems by a single author is usually called a collection, while a book of poems by many authors is most often called an anthology. But poems can also form a novel, as in the case of Girl Coming In For A Landing by April Wayland.

4. When you are writing a poem, you SHOULD:
A. capitalize the first letter of each line
B. use regular punctuation
C. experiment with breaking lines
D. use long words

Answer:C. Experiment with breaking lines! It is easy to play with alignment when you type your different drafts on a computer. Sometimes the subject will suggest a certain type of alignment. Long lines might alternate with short lines in a poem about the ocean's tides; or you might want to use short lines in a poem about being out of breath after a mile-run. You can play with alignment in an extreme way, so that your poem actually forms a shape; there are good examples of shape poems, or concrete poems, in Splish Splash by Joan Graham.

5. You can find poetry in your library:
A. near the bathroom
B. in the 811 section
C. waiting behind the librarian's desk
D. where the dusty books hide

Answer: B. You'll find most poetry books in the 811 section of your library. But don't leave them there; raid your 811 shelf and bring those books home!


		Poetry Quiz Answers 1. What makes a poem? Poems: A. sometimes use rhyme, repetition, or rhythm to sound like songs B. usually have lines of varying length and lots of white space C. should make pictures in a reader's mind D. all of the above Answer: D. These are elements that a poem often has, but a poem doesn't need to have any of these things. You can have a poem with no imagery, and no rhyme, repetition, or rhythm. It can look like a regular paragraph; this is often called a “prose poem.” 2. Simile is: A. a poem with a happy face on it B. a long poem C. where something is compared to something else using “like” or “as” D. the use of confusion in a poem Answer: C. Similes can be confusing, and might be so clever that they inspire smiley faces, but the answer is C. Here's an example of simile from “The Onion,” in Janet Wong's book The Rainbow Hand: Poems about Mothers and Children: “Mother is like an onion / her golden skin smooth and soft. / She keeps you strong…” 3. A book of poems is called: A. a collection B. an anthology C. a novel D. all of the above Answer: D. A book of poems by a single author is usually called a collection, while a book of poems by many authors is most often called an anthology. But poems can also form a novel, as in the case of Girl Coming In For A Landing by April Wayland. 4. When you are writing a poem, you SHOULD: A. capitalize the first letter of each line B. use regular punctuation C. experiment with breaking lines D. use long words Answer:C. Experiment with breaking lines! It is easy to play with alignment when you type your different drafts on a computer. Sometimes the subject will suggest a certain type of alignment. Long lines might alternate with short lines in a poem about the ocean's tides; or you might want to use short lines in a poem about being out of breath after a mile-run. You can play with alignment in an extreme way, so that your poem actually forms a shape; there are good examples of shape poems, or concrete poems, in Splish Splash by Joan Graham. 5. You can find poetry in your library: A. near the bathroom B. in the 811 section C. waiting behind the librarian's desk D. where the dusty books hide Answer: B. You'll find most poetry books in the 811 section of your library. But don't leave them there; raid your 811 shelf and bring those books home!

			Copyright © 1999 Janet S. Wong. All Rights Reserved.