Will You Come? by Edward Thomas

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

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

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

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

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

A) A bright and sunny summer day.
B) A mixture of sun and rain, or uncertain weather.
C) A harsh and stormy winter night.
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 bustling city street.
B) A manicured garden.
C) A desolate desert landscape.
D) A rural, possibly somewhat wild, environment.

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

A) Loneliness and a desire for companionship.
B) Excitement and adventure.
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) Exciting news and gossip.
B) A philosophical debate.
C) A quiet, shared experience of nature.
D) A feast of food and drink.

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

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

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

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

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 indicates he is bored.
C) It signifies his complete lack of interest.
D) It shows his forceful demand.

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

A) By focusing on external events and actions.
B) Through the use of complex scientific language.
C) By describing a large gathering of people.
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 that could be deepened by shared experience.
B) It is a strained and antagonistic relationship.
C) It is a relationship of deep animosity.
D) It is a relationship of casual acquaintance.

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

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

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

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

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

A) Vibrant and energetic.
B) Ominous and foreboding.
C) Quiet, understated beauty, possibly tinged with sadness.
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) A desire for connection and understanding in a solitary existence.
B) A plea for financial assistance.
C) An invitation to an artistic collaboration.
D) A call to political action.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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