Will You Come? by Edward Thomas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A) He is reserved or finds it difficult to express himself verbally.
B) He prefers to communicate through gestures.
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 philosophical debate.
B) A quiet, shared experience of nature.
C) A feast of food and drink.
D) Exciting news and gossip.

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

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

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

A) The meaning of life.
B) The current political climate.
C) The best route to take.
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 signifies his complete lack of interest.
B) It indicates he is bored.
C) It emphasizes his hesitant hope and uncertainty.
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) By describing a large gathering of people.
C) Through the use of complex scientific language.
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 strained and antagonistic relationship.
B) It is a relationship of deep animosity.
C) It is a relationship that could be deepened by shared experience.
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) Chaotic and unsettling.
B) Quiet, understated beauty, possibly tinged with sadness.
C) Ominous and foreboding.
D) Vibrant and energetic.

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

A) A plea for financial assistance.
B) A desire for connection and understanding in a solitary existence.
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 military march.
B) A journey, reflection, or shared experience.
C) A frantic escape.
D) A race or competition.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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) Respect for the other person's autonomy.
D) A lack of conviction in the invitation.

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

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

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

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