An arco book arco is a registered trademark of Thomson Learning, Inc., and is used herein under license by Peterson’s. About The Thomson Corporation and Peterson’s

2. The correct answer is (E). In the explanation to question 1, we learned about the main idea of the
poem. The poet develops the main idea by contrasting the power of the poem to preserve the memory of
the loved one with the inability of monuments and statues to preserve permanently the memory of a
historical figure; statues and monuments can be destroyed, but this poem will continue to exist. Thus, an
important idea in the poem is that historical monuments do not preserve history.
You will find the ideas referred to in choices (B) through (D) mentioned explicitly in lines 4, 6,
and 7, respectively. The idea referred to in choice (A) is strongly suggested throughout the poem.
3. The correct answer is (A). In the explanation for question 1, it was noted that the poem consists of
four sentences. The first three sentences each occupy four lines, while the last occupies two. Thus,
(A) is the best description of the structure of the poem.
Although you would not be expected to know this, the poem was written by Shakespeare, and it
has the form of a Shakespearean sonnet: three quatrains and a couplet.

---

Lesson 3
66
www.petersons.com/arco
ARCO
■ SAT II Subject Tests
4. The correct answer is (E).  In the explanation for question 1, it was observed that the poem is really
about itself. Thus, the phrase “these conténts” refers to the poem.
5. The correct answer is (A). Several clues in the poem lead to this conclusion. The contrast between
the destruction of the monuments and the lasting quality of the poem suggests that the poem is
intended to endure until the end of the world. In addition, line 13 refers to the “judgment that yourself
arise,” which can only be Judgment Day.
6. The correct answer is (D). As was noted above, the poem is really about itself. The 14 lines really
amount to the assertion “Other seemingly permanent things will perish, but this poem will live for-
ever.” The best description of this sentiment is “assured and confident.”