"Oh Captain! My Captain" - "I Saw Old General At Bay" - Honors

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  • 1/20 Questions

    What sound welcomes the ship as it arrives in port in “O Captain! My Captain!”?  

    • Bells ringing
    • Wind blowing
    • A heart beating
    • The Captain falling
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About This Quiz

This quiz focuses on the analysis of Walt Whitman's poem 'O Captain! My Captain!' It assesses understanding of themes, historical context, and poetic devices, emphasizing the poem's significance and the emotional depth conveyed through its narrative.

"Oh Captain! My Captain" - "I Saw Old General At Bay" - Honors - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    Which phrase most expresses the difficult time the ship has had in “O Captain! My Captain!”?  

    • “O Captain!”

    • “our fearful trip”

    • “prize we sought”

    • “the bells I hear”

    Correct Answer
    A. “our fearful trip”
    Explanation
    The phrase "our fearful trip" most expresses the difficult time the ship has had in "O Captain! My Captain!" This phrase suggests that the journey or voyage of the ship has been filled with fear and hardship, implying that it has faced numerous challenges and obstacles along the way.

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  • 3. 

    The number of volunteers in “I Saw Old General at Bay” shows that  

    • Everyone wants to escape death

    • The general makes his men fearful

    • The soldiers are loyal to the general

    • Everyone wants to fight to the death

    Correct Answer
    A. The soldiers are loyal to the general
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "the soldiers are loyal to the general". The number of volunteers in the poem suggests that the soldiers are willing to fight and sacrifice their lives for the general, indicating their loyalty and dedication to him.

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  • 4. 

    What does the speaker in “O Captain! My Captain!” express by using the words “my Captain” in the title and throughout the poem?  

    • The speaker is related to the Captain.

    • The Captain’s death must remain a secret.

    • The speaker feels very loyal to the Captain.

    • Only the Captain and speaker are on the ship.

    Correct Answer
    A. The speaker feels very loyal to the Captain.
    Explanation
    The speaker in "O Captain! My Captain!" expresses a strong sense of loyalty to the Captain by using the words "my Captain" in the title and throughout the poem. This suggests that the speaker has a personal connection and deep admiration for the Captain, showing their devotion and commitment to their leader.

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  • 5. 

    The repetition of the phrase "fallen cold and dead" emphasizes what idea?  

    • Speaker’s anger at the victory celebration

    • Way the speaker walks around the Captain

    • Speaker’s desire to tell the news of the death

    • Importance of the tragic death to the speaker

    Correct Answer
    A. Importance of the tragic death to the speaker
    Explanation
    The repetition of the phrase "fallen cold and dead" suggests that the speaker places great significance on the tragic death. The repetition emphasizes the finality and harshness of death, highlighting the impact it has on the speaker. It conveys the speaker's deep emotional connection to the deceased and their belief that the death is a significant event that should be acknowledged and remembered.

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  • 6. 

    Whitman describes the Captain’s death as a dream because he ...  

    • Realizes that the Captain is still alive

    • Remembers a dream about the Captain

    • Only imagines seeing the Captain dead

    • Wishes so much that it were only a dream

    Correct Answer
    A. Wishes so much that it were only a dream
    Explanation
    Whitman describes the Captain's death as a dream because he wishes so much that it were only a dream. This suggests that Whitman is deeply saddened by the Captain's death and is unable to accept the reality of it. Describing it as a dream allows him to temporarily escape from the pain and wish for a different outcome.

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  • 7. 

    The selected volunteers respond to getting their instructions in “I Saw Old General at Bay” by  

    • Becoming afraid

    • Changing their minds

    • Doubting the adjutant

    • Listening very carefully

    Correct Answer
    A. Listening very carefully
    Explanation
    In the poem "I Saw Old General at Bay," the selected volunteers respond to getting their instructions by listening very carefully. This means that they pay close attention to the instructions given to them, indicating their attentiveness and willingness to follow orders. They understand the importance of understanding the instructions correctly in order to carry out their tasks effectively.

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  • 8. 

    What is the speaker doing at the end of “O Captain! My Captain!”?  

    • Standing on shore

    • Ringing the ship’s bell

    • Falling from the deck

    • Walking the deck sadly

    Correct Answer
    A. Walking the deck sadly
    Explanation
    At the end of "O Captain! My Captain!", the speaker is described as walking the deck sadly. This suggests that the speaker is mourning the loss of their captain and is filled with sorrow. The phrase "walking the deck" implies that the speaker is on a ship, further emphasizing the nautical theme of the poem. The word "sadly" indicates the speaker's emotional state, highlighting their grief and the somber atmosphere of the scene.

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  • 9. 

    Consider the historical context of “O Captain! My Captain!” The references to a finished voyage most likely symbolizes  

    • Lincoln’s assassination

    • The end of the Civil War

    • The last warship’s arrival

    • Injured soldiers’ recovery

    Correct Answer
    A. The end of the Civil War
    Explanation
    The references to a finished voyage in "O Captain! My Captain!" most likely symbolize the end of the Civil War. The poem was written by Walt Whitman as an elegy for President Abraham Lincoln, who was assassinated shortly after the war ended. The captain in the poem represents Lincoln, and the finished voyage represents the conclusion of the war. The poem mourns the loss of the captain and reflects on the impact of his leadership during the war.

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  • 10. 

    Why is there an emergency in “I Saw Old General at Bay”?  

    • Enemy troops surround the soldiers.

    • Too few soldiers volunteer.

    • The general cannot see.

    • Night is coming on.

    Correct Answer
    A. Enemy troops surround the soldiers.
    Explanation
    In "I Saw Old General at Bay," there is an emergency because enemy troops surround the soldiers. This poses a significant threat to the soldiers' safety and indicates that they are in a critical situation that requires immediate action or intervention. The presence of enemy troops suggests that the soldiers are at risk of being attacked or overpowered, leading to the need for an emergency response.

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  • 11. 

    Asking the Captain to “rise up” from the deck is the speaker’s way to express his  

    • Belief in an afterlife for the Captain

    • Wish that the dead Captain could rise

    • Excitement at the ringing of the bells

    • Attempt to hide the death from other people

    Correct Answer
    A. Wish that the dead Captain could rise
    Explanation
    The speaker asking the Captain to "rise up" from the deck suggests that they are expressing their wish for the dead Captain to come back to life. This implies that the speaker desires for the Captain to be alive again, indicating that their statement is a wish for resurrection rather than a belief in an afterlife, excitement at the ringing of the bells, or an attempt to hide the death from others.

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  • 12. 

    What does the speaker in “I Saw Old General at Bay” think about the General’s age?  

    • The General’s sight is too poor to lead troops.

    • Although old, the General still has energy.

    • Soldiers deny that their General is old.

    • The General is too old to win a battle.

    Correct Answer
    A. Although old, the General still has energy.
    Explanation
    The speaker in "I Saw Old General at Bay" thinks that although the General is old, he still has energy.

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  • 13. 

    Consider Whitman’s style in the following line of “O Captain! My Captain!” The description of the ship’s safety is ironic because the The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, its voyage closed and done,

    • Crowds are trying to take over the ship

    • Speaker fears that lives are in danger

    • Ship’s Captain lies dead on the deck

    • Ship is still trying to sail to safety

    Correct Answer
    A. Ship’s Captain lies dead on the deck
    Explanation
    The description of the ship's safety is ironic because the ship's Captain lies dead on the deck. This implies that even though the ship has reached its destination safely and the voyage is complete, there is a tragic loss of life. The juxtaposition of the ship's safety with the death of the Captain creates a sense of irony and highlights the bittersweet nature of the situation.

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  • 14. 

    What quality of the army seems to impress the speaker the most in “I Saw Old General at Bay?”  

    • Brilliant military planning

    • Expressions of seriousness

    • Recognition of an emergency

    • Loyalty in dire circumstances

    Correct Answer
    A. Loyalty in dire circumstances
    Explanation
    The speaker in "I Saw Old General at Bay" seems to be most impressed by the loyalty exhibited by the army in dire circumstances. This suggests that the speaker values the unwavering commitment and dedication of the soldiers, even in the face of difficult and challenging situations. The loyalty displayed by the army reflects their strong sense of duty and devotion to their cause, which resonates with the speaker.

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  • 15. 

    It is likely that the adjutant in “I Saw Old General at Bay” looks “very grave” because  

    • The volunteers’ mission is very dangerous

    • He believes that the General’s plan is wrong

    • He also wants to volunteer to run enemy lines

    • The volunteers misunderstand their instructions

    Correct Answer
    A. The volunteers’ mission is very dangerous
    Explanation
    The adjutant in "I Saw Old General at Bay" looks very grave because the volunteers' mission is very dangerous. This can be inferred from the fact that the adjutant is described as being "grave" which suggests seriousness and concern. The word "grave" implies that the situation is serious and potentially life-threatening, indicating that the mission the volunteers are embarking on is risky and perilous.

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  • 16. 

    What is one idea that both poems express?  

    • All wars come to a successful end.

    • People are unaware how to win a war.

    • War creates many reasons to celebrate.

    • War puts good people in serious danger.

    Correct Answer
    A. War puts good people in serious danger.
    Explanation
    Both poems express the idea that war puts good people in serious danger.

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  • 17. 

    Who calls for the Captain as the ship sails into the port in “O Captain! My Captain!”?  

    • Eager crowds on shore

    • The Captain’s children

    • All the ship’s sailors

    • A large marching band

    Correct Answer
    A. Eager crowds on shore
    Explanation
    In the poem "O Captain! My Captain!" by Walt Whitman, the speaker calls for the Captain as the ship sails into the port. The mention of "eager crowds on shore" suggests that it is the people waiting on the shore who call for the Captain. They are excited to welcome the ship and its Captain, showing their enthusiasm and support.

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  • 18. 

    What are the people on shore doing in the following line?   While follow eyes the steady keel,3 the vessel grim and daring:

    • Watching the ship as it sails home

    • Trying to sail out and follow the ship

    • Enjoying the sound of the ship’s bells

    • Wondering about the prize the ship has won

    Correct Answer
    A. Watching the ship as it sails home
    Explanation
    The people on shore are watching the ship as it sails home.

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  • 19. 

    The leader in each poem has earned  

    • Cheering

    • Death

    • Loyalty

    • Victory

    Correct Answer
    A. Victory
    Explanation
    In each poem, the leader has earned victory. This suggests that the leader is successful and has achieved their goals. The word "cheering" implies that the leader has accomplished something worthy of celebration and support. "Death" could indicate that the leader has triumphed over their enemies or overcome obstacles. "Loyalty" suggests that the leader has inspired and gained the trust of their followers. Overall, the common theme in all the poems is the leader's achievement of victory.

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  • 20. 

    Which piece of historical background for “O Captain! My Captain!” best explains the following line of the poem?  My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will,

    • President Lincoln’s death was tragic.

    • The poet took care of injured soldiers.

    • The poet had many feelings about the war.

    • The Civil War ended in the spring of 1865.

    Correct Answer
    A. The poet took care of injured soldiers.
    Explanation
    During the Civil War, the poet of "O Captain! My Captain!" served as a nurse and took care of injured soldiers. This historical background helps explain the line "My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will," as it suggests that the poet's father, who represents President Lincoln, is no longer alive and cannot physically respond to the poet's touch. The poet's experience caring for wounded soldiers adds emotional depth to the poem and enhances the sense of loss and grief expressed in this line.

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Quiz Review Timeline (Updated): Mar 22, 2023 +

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  • Current Version
  • Mar 22, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • May 08, 2013
    Quiz Created by
    09984
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