Question 1: Identify one literary device used in the excerpt and explain its effect.

Answer: Example: Imagery; it evokes vivid memories and emotions.

Question 2: What is the main theme conveyed in this passage?

Answer: The reflection on childhood memories and the connection to the speaker's past.

Question 3: Describe the tone of the excerpt. Support your answer with a detail from the passage.

Answer: The tone is nostalgic, as shown by the words 'distant' and 'memories I hold dear.'

Question 4: Which line introduces a shift in perspective or tone, and what is that shift?

Answer: The line 'I wonder what you dreamt of then' introduces a reflective tone, shifting the focus to curiosity about the past.

Question 5: Identify a poetic technique used to create rhythm in the excerpt.

Answer: Repetition of sounds or phrases, such as 'before you were mine,' enhances musicality.

Question 6: How does the speaker’s attitude toward the subject change from the beginning to the end of the passage?

Answer: The speaker's attitude shifts from curiosity to a deeper sense of nostalgia and admiration.

Question 7: What is the significance of the phrase 'before you were mine' in the context of the excerpt?

Answer: It emphasizes the focus on the subject's past before the speaker's awareness or influence.

Question 8: Create a brief creative writing piece (4-6 lines) imagining a memory from the subject's childhood, inspired by the tone of the excerpt.

Answer:

Question 9: Analyze how the poet uses diction to evoke nostalgia. Provide specific words or phrase examples.

Answer: Words like 'distant,' 'memories,' 'laughter,' and 'radiant' evoke warm, nostalgic feelings.

Question 10: Explain the importance of the poem's structure in conveying its themes.

Answer: The free verse structure allows a flowing, personal reflection that enhances the nostalgic tone.