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EXAMPLE:
1. The phrase “azure world” in line 3 refers to the
(A) mountain
(B) sea
(C) sky
(D) earth
(E) clouds
This question tests your understanding of the meaning of the poem. The poet describes the eagle as perched
high on a mountain. The azure world that rings the eagle, therefore, must be the sky. So the correct answer to
this question is (C).
EXAMPLE:
2. The poet’s attitude toward the eagle can best be described as
(A) admiring
(B) mistrustful
(C) indifferent
(D) fearful
(E) disgusted

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Lesson 3
54
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ARCO
■ SAT II Subject Tests
This question asks not about what is specifically stated in the poem but about what can be inferred from
it. Several clues are available to lead you to the correct answer. First, the eagle is perched on high in a
dramatic setting. Next, the poet’s diction, or choice of words, is highly suggestive. The eagle is not just
sitting on a mountain, he is perched on a “crag” atop “mountain walls.” He is not just high on a mountain,
he is “close to the sun.” Finally, notice that the author uses the word “thunderbolt” in the final line to
describe the eagle’s descent. Thus, the best response to this question is (A).
Some questions have unusual formats with which you should be familiar:
EXAMPLE:
3. The poet makes use of which of the following?
I.
alliteration
II.
simile
III. blank verse
(A) I only
(B) II only
(C) III only
(D) I and III only
(E) I, II, and III
Notice that the answer choices for this item consist of mixes of the three Roman-numeraled statements.
You must examine each statement. First, statement I does belong in the correct answer. In the first two
lines, the poet uses the sound of the hard c four times. This technique is known as alliteration. Already, we
know that neither (B) nor (C) is correct. As for statement II, a simile is a comparison using like or as, as in
“my love is like a red, red rose.” There is no such explicit comparison in the poem. Since II does not
belong in the correct choice, we also eliminate (E). Finally, as for statement III, the poet uses a rhyme
scheme, not blank verse. So the correct answer is (A).