Will You Come? by Edward Thomas

1. What is the primary tone of "Will You Come?" by Edward Thomas?

A) Melancholy and contemplative
B) Angry and defiant
C) Joyful and celebratory
D) Humorous and lighthearted

2. The poem begins with an invitation. What is the speaker inviting someone to do?

A) To attend a formal party.
B) To walk with him in the countryside.
C) To help him with a difficult task.
D) To share a secret plan.

3. What kind of weather is described in the poem?

A) A harsh and stormy winter night.
B) A bright and sunny summer day.
C) A mixture of sun and rain, or uncertain weather.
D) A foggy and mysterious morning.

4. The speaker mentions the "hedge-row" and the "road." What do these suggest about the setting?

A) A rural, possibly somewhat wild, environment.
B) A bustling city street.
C) A manicured garden.
D) A desolate desert landscape.

5. What emotion seems to be central to the speaker's request?

A) Excitement and adventure.
B) Loneliness and a desire for companionship.
C) Frustration and annoyance.
D) Curiosity and a thirst for knowledge.

6. The phrase "though I may not speak" implies what about the speaker's communication style?

A) He prefers to communicate through gestures.
B) He is reserved or finds it difficult to express himself verbally.
C) He is naturally eloquent and persuasive.
D) He has lost his voice due to illness.

7. What does the speaker hope to share with the invited person?

A) A quiet, shared experience of nature.
B) A philosophical debate.
C) Exciting news and gossip.
D) A feast of food and drink.

8. The poem subtly hints at the passage of time. How is this suggested?

A) Through descriptions of aging people.
B) Through references to changing light or seasons.
C) By mentioning historical events.
D) By directly stating the date and time.

9. The speaker's questioning nature is evident. What is he questioning?

A) The current political climate.
B) Whether the other person will accept his invitation and the nature of their relationship.
C) The meaning of life.
D) The best route to take.

10. What is the significance of the speaker's repeated use of "Will you come?"

A) It emphasizes his hesitant hope and uncertainty.
B) It shows his forceful demand.
C) It signifies his complete lack of interest.
D) It indicates he is bored.

11. The poem creates a sense of intimacy. How is this achieved?

A) Through the use of complex scientific language.
B) By describing a large gathering of people.
C) By focusing on external events and actions.
D) Through the direct address and the implied shared experience.

12. What is implied about the relationship between the speaker and the invited person?

A) It is a relationship of casual acquaintance.
B) It is a relationship that could be deepened by shared experience.
C) It is a strained and antagonistic relationship.
D) It is a relationship of deep animosity.

13. The poem evokes a sense of the natural world. What elements of nature are present?

A) Tropical rainforests and exotic wildlife.
B) Fields, hedges, roads, light, and perhaps birdsong.
C) Urban parks and carefully cultivated flowerbeds.
D) Deserts, mountains, and oceans.

14. The speaker's invitation is not overly demanding. This suggests:

A) He is completely indifferent to the outcome.
B) He is testing the other person's loyalty.
C) He is trying to manipulate the other person.
D) He values the other person's free will and comfort.

15. What is the prevailing mood associated with the landscape described?

A) Quiet, understated beauty, possibly tinged with sadness.
B) Ominous and foreboding.
C) Vibrant and energetic.
D) Chaotic and unsettling.

16. The poem is often interpreted as reflecting Edward Thomas's personal experiences. What might the invitation symbolize in a broader sense?

A) An invitation to an artistic collaboration.
B) A desire for connection and understanding in a solitary existence.
C) A plea for financial assistance.
D) A call to political action.

17. The invitation is to walk. What does walking often symbolize in poetry?

A) A military march.
B) A journey, reflection, or shared experience.
C) A race or competition.
D) A frantic escape.

18. What is the implied consequence if the invited person does not come?

A) The speaker will find someone else to accompany him.
B) The speaker will immediately forget about the invitation.
C) The speaker will likely remain alone with his thoughts.
D) The speaker will be enraged.

19. The poem is characterized by its simplicity. What effect does this have on the reader?

A) It creates a sense of detachment.
B) It makes the poem difficult to understand.
C) It allows for a direct and emotional connection with the speaker's feelings.
D) It overwhelms the reader with complex ideas.

20. What kind of dialogue is the poem, in essence?

A) A factual report.
B) A public announcement.
C) A one-sided invitation, seeking a response.
D) A heated argument.

21. The speaker's awareness of his own potential silence suggests:

A) A belief that words are unnecessary.
B) A self-consciousness about his ability to engage verbally.
C) A deliberate act of withholding information.
D) An eagerness to dominate the conversation.

22. What might the "uncertain" weather represent metaphorically in the poem?

A) The ambiguity of relationships or future possibilities.
B) A celebration of natural cycles.
C) A clear sign of impending danger.
D) A reflection of perfect harmony.

23. The invitation is framed as a gentle request, not a demand. This indicates:

A) An attempt to create obligation.
B) A desire to exert control.
C) A lack of conviction in the invitation.
D) Respect for the other person's autonomy.

24. What is the overall feeling evoked by the poem's ending?

A) Disappointment and anger.
B) Resolution and complete happiness.
C) Excitement and anticipation of immediate action.
D) Lingering hope, uncertainty, and a quiet sense of solitude.

25. Edward Thomas is known for his poetry about nature and the English countryside. How does "Will You Come?" fit into this thematic trend?

A) It is an allegory for industrialization.
B) It uses the rural setting as a backdrop for exploring human emotions and relationships.
C) It is purely a descriptive poem with no emotional content.
D) It criticizes the natural world.

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