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Quiz about The Death of the Hired Manby Robert Frost

"The Death of the Hired Man"--by Robert Frost Quiz

"The Death of the Hired Man" is a sobering poem from a poetic master of the 20th Century, Robert Frost. Its legacy is the now common expression "Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in." The quiz celebrates this work

A multiple-choice quiz by hitachi. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
hitachi

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
116,521

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
561

Last 3 plays: Guest 42 (8/10), Guest 152 (2/10), Guest 152 (2/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What meter is the poem written in? Hint

dactylic hexameter

iambic pentameter

trochaic pentameter

hendecasyllabic

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Question 2 of 10

2. How did Mary meet Warren at the door? Hint

On guard and terrified

With a book in her hand

On tip-toe

Sitting on the porch by lamp-flame

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Question 3 of 10

3. When did Silas leave the last time? Hint

At the last hay time

During the early spring--when ditches need digging

During the previous winter

Right after a fight with Wilson

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Question 4 of 10

4. Why was Warren frustrated with Silas? Hint

Silas used his money for cigarettes.

Silas took momentary wages over long-term security.

Silas tried to make Warren jealous through other farmers.

Silas wouldn't get assistance from his brother.

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Question 5 of 10

5. Warren smiled when Mary said what? Hint

"I found him here,/Huddled against the barn-door fast asleep,/A miserable sight, and frightening, too."

"Surely you wouldn't grudge the poor old man/Some humble way to save his self-respect."

"Sh! not so loud: he'll hear you."

"Warren, I wish you could have heard the way/He jumbled everything."

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Question 6 of 10

6. What is a hazel prong? Hint

A forked stick some people believe can be used to find water underground

A roof pole made of light colored woods used to predict rain

A stick plunged into the ground to spring a well

None of these

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Question 7 of 10

7. What was Silas' strength? Hint

Working with others

Winning arguments

Digging ditches

Baling hay

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Question 8 of 10

8. How is "home" defined in this poem? Hint

Both of these

Something you somehow haven't to deserve

The place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in

None of these

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Question 9 of 10

9. Why did Mary think Silas and his brother weren't closer? Hint

Becuase Silas might have imposed on his brother's wealth

Because Silas wasn't bad, just not good enough

Because Silas' brother was favored as a child as the smarter one

Because Silas hated making the 13 mile trek to his brother's home

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Question 10 of 10

10. What did Mary do while Warren went in to check on Silas? Hint

Picked morning-glories

Think of the argument she thought would ensue

Watch the night sky

Finish the knitting she was still clutching

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Most Recent Scores

Dec 16 2024 : Guest 42: 8/10
Dec 06 2024 : Guest 152: 2/10
Dec 05 2024 : Guest 152: 2/10
Oct 29 2024 : Guest 160: 7/10
Oct 29 2024 : Guest 202: 3/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What meter is the poem written in?

Answer: iambic pentameter

Though Robert Frost didn't always write in rhyme, he always wrote with some type of technical challenge. On free verse, Frost once said "I'd just as soon play tennis with the net down."

2. How did Mary meet Warren at the door?

Answer: On tip-toe

"Mary sat musing on the lamp-flame at the table
Waiting for Warren. When she heard his step,
She ran on tip-toe down the darkened passage
To meet him in the doorway with the news
And put him on his guard."

3. When did Silas leave the last time?

Answer: At the last hay time

Warren speaking:
" 'But I'll not have the fellow back,' he said.
'I told him so last haying, didn't I?
"If he left then," I said, "that ended it." ' "

4. Why was Warren frustrated with Silas?

Answer: Silas took momentary wages over long-term security.

Warren speaking:
"I shouldn't mind his bettering himself
If that was what it was. You can be certain,
When he begins like that, there's someone at him
Trying to coax him off with pocket-money,--
In haying time, when any help is scarce.
In winter he comes back to us. I'm done."

5. Warren smiled when Mary said what?

Answer: "I found him here,/Huddled against the barn-door fast asleep,/A miserable sight, and frightening, too."

Mary speaking:
"He's worn out. He's asleep beside the stove.
When I came up from Rowe's I found him here,
Huddled against the barn-door fast asleep,
A miserable sight, and frightening, too--
You needn't smile--I didn't recognize him--
I wasn't looking for him--and he's changed.
Wait till you see."

6. What is a hazel prong?

Answer: A forked stick some people believe can be used to find water underground

This is also often called a divining stick.

7. What was Silas' strength?

Answer: Baling hay

Warren speaking:
"I know, that's Silas' one accomplishment.
He bundles every forkful in its place,
And tags and numbers it for future reference,
So he can find and easily dislodge it
In the unloading. Silas does that well."

8. How is "home" defined in this poem?

Answer: Both of these

Warren is a hard sell when it comes to empathy towards Silas' condition. Mary is responsible for the more famous quote.

9. Why did Mary think Silas and his brother weren't closer?

Answer: Because Silas wasn't bad, just not good enough

Mary speaking:
"Silas is what he is-we wouldn't mind him-
But just the kind that kinsfolk can't abide.
He never did a thing so very bad.
He don't know why he isn't quite as good
As anyone. He won't be made ashamed
To please his brother, worthless though he is."

10. What did Mary do while Warren went in to check on Silas?

Answer: Watch the night sky

Mary speaking:
" 'Go, look, see for yourself....
I'll sit and see if that small sailing cloud
Will hit or miss the moon.' It hit the moon.
Then there were three there, making a dim row,
The moon, the little silver cloud, and she."

Source: Author hitachi

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor magpie8 before going online.
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