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Practice each question, then open the answer or worked solution.
What do you notice about the beginning and the ending of the poem?
The poem begins on a depressing note. The laburnum is said to stand silently and still. There is no sign of life. The tree’s leaves have begun to yellow, and the seeds have already fallen. It denotes the autumn season.
To what is the bird’s movement compared? What is the basis for the comparison?
The movement of the bird is compared to that of a lizard. They are both sleek, alert, and abrupt. As a result, the comparison is both accurate and convincing.
Why is the image of the engine evoked by the poet?
The image of the engine is evoked because the mother bird is the family’s “engine.” She works to provide food for her children in the same way that an engine powers a machine.
What do you like most about the poem?
Write your own answer.
What does the phrase “her barred face identity mask” mean?
This means that it is the mark of recognition that the mother bird uses to reveal her identity as the mother of her babies.