A Solar Eclipse by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

1. A Solar Eclipse by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

What is the primary phenomenon described in Ella Wheeler Wilcox's poem "A Solar Eclipse"?

A) The moon blocking the sun.
B) A meteor shower.
C) The aurora borealis.
D) A lunar eclipse.

2. How does the poem describe the moment the moon begins to cover the sun?

A) Stars begin to twinkle brightly.
B) The sky turns a brilliant red.
C) A veil of darkness descends.
D) The sun emits a powerful beam.

3. What emotion does the poem evoke as the eclipse progresses?

A) Indifference and boredom.
B) Fear and panic.
C) Awe and wonder.
D) Excitement and joy.

4. What does the poem refer to as the 'fiery crown' or 'corona'?

A) The bright edge of the sun before it's fully covered.
B) The reflection of the sun on water.
C) The sun's atmosphere visible during totality.
D) A halo around the moon.

5. The poem uses the metaphor of a 'lover's kiss' to describe:

A) The brief moment of totality.
B) The initial partial eclipse.
C) The moon's shadow.
D) The sun's reappearance.

6. What is the reaction of nature, as depicted in the poem, to the eclipse?

A) Insects buzz with increased activity.
B) Birds become silent, and flowers close.
C) The wind picks up with great force.
D) Animals begin to sing more loudly.

7. The poem suggests that the eclipse is a reminder of:

A) The power of human invention.
B) Our smallness in the universe.
C) The beauty of the moon's surface.
D) The warmth of the sun.

8. What is the 'silver disc' mentioned in the poem?

A) A distant planet.
B) The sun's reflection.
C) The moon.
D) A celestial body.

9. The poem contrasts the 'burning orb' with:

A) The 'moonlit path'.
B) The 'starry night'.
C) The 'darkened sky'.
D) The 'shadowed face'.

10. The poem uses personification to describe the sun as:

A) A king or ruler.
B) A gentle observer.
C) A silent watcher.
D) A playful child.

11. What is the feeling conveyed when the sun's light begins to return?

A) Sadness and loss.
B) Relief and restoration.
C) Disappointment and anticlimax.
D) Confusion and disorientation.

12. The poem implies that the eclipse is a fleeting event, much like:

A) A dream or a passing thought.
B) A long-lasting sorrow.
C) A permanent change in the sky.
D) An everlasting joy.

13. What does the 'midnight noon' symbolize in the poem?

A) The peak of the solar eclipse when it's darkest.
B) The time of day when the sun is highest.
C) A period of extreme heat.
D) The time of the moon's full phase.

14. The poem suggests that humans are:

A) Creators of celestial phenomena.
B) Ignorant of astronomical occurrences.
C) Fearful of the unknown.
D) Witnesses to cosmic events.

15. What does the return of the sun's light signify to the world in the poem?

A) A period of intense astronomical study.
B) The return of normal life and warmth.
C) A permanent change in the environment.
D) A new beginning of darkness.

16. The poem uses the imagery of the sun being 'devoured' to express:

A) The sun's hunger.
B) A destructive cosmic battle.
C) The power of the moon to obscure the sun.
D) The sun's eventual demise.

17. What is the effect of the eclipse on human perception, according to the poem?

A) It makes them contemplate profound truths.
B) It makes them appreciate the moon more.
C) It encourages them to build more shelters.
D) It causes them to forget their daily lives.

18. The poem concludes with a sense of:

A) The return to normalcy and reflection.
B) A lasting sense of dread.
C) A desire for another eclipse.
D) An unresolved mystery.

19. The phrase 'celestial drama' in the poem refers to:

A) A play performed in space.
B) The dramatic visual spectacle of the eclipse.
C) A staged astronomical event.
D) The interactions between planets.

20. What celestial body's journey is central to the poem's narrative?

A) Earth's.
B) Venus's.
C) The sun's.
D) The moon's.

21. The poem suggests that the eclipse is a phenomenon that:

A) Marks the end of the world.
B) Has happened before and will happen again.
C) Is a recent invention of nature.
D) Is a unique, one-time event.

22. The poem emphasizes the visual aspect of the eclipse, particularly:

A) The temperature changes.
B) The sounds of the event.
C) The contrast between light and dark.
D) The smell of the air.

23. The 'darkened crown' could be interpreted as:

A) The moon's silhouette against the sun.
B) A symbol of royalty in mourning.
C) The sun's impending destruction.
D) A dark halo around the moon.

24. Ella Wheeler Wilcox's poem aims to portray the solar eclipse as:

A) A scientific curiosity for astronomers only.
B) A mundane, everyday occurrence.
C) A terrifying omen of destruction.
D) A natural marvel that inspires contemplation.

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