Illustration of a farmer plowing the land, accompanying the poem "The Black Land" by Joseph Warren Beach.
A black and white illustration of a person plowing a field with a long-handled tool, depicted in a simple line drawing style.
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Figurative Language Poems with Questions
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Figurative Language Poems with Questions
Let’s go through each question one by one, using the poem “The Black Land” by Joseph Warren Beach.
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1. Identify one example of simile: explain which two things are being compared.
A simile uses “like” or “as” to compare two different things.
In the poem:
> “I will ride upon this heaving surface / As a boat rides upon the water.”
This is a simile because it uses “as” to compare riding on the plowed land to a boat riding on water.
✔ Answer: The speaker compares riding on the plowed land to a boat riding on water — both move smoothly over a surface that rises and falls.
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2. Identify two examples of metaphor: explain which two things are being compared in each metaphor.
A metaphor says one thing *is* another (without “like” or “as”).
Example 1:
> “Scattering gems.”
→ The seeds being sown are called “gems.” So, seeds = gems. This shows how valuable the seeds are to the farmer.
Example 2:
> “Quivering emeralds out of a bottomless pouch.”
→ Again, the seeds are called “emeralds” (green gems). Also, the pouch holding them is “bottomless,” meaning it never runs out — exaggerating how much seed he has.
✔ Answer:
- “Scattering gems” → seeds are compared to precious gems.
- “Quivering emeralds” → seeds are again compared to green jewels; also implies they’re shiny and valuable.
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3. Identify two examples of personification: explain what is being personified and how.
Personification gives human traits to non-human things.
Example 1:
> “The black earth embraces my ankles / And clings to my bent knees.”
→ Earth can’t really “embrace” or “cling” — those are human actions. Here, the soil acts like it’s hugging or holding onto the farmer.
Example 2:
> “The wind sings upon my lips”
→ Wind doesn’t actually sing — singing is something people do. The poet makes the wind seem alive and musical.
✔ Answer:
- The earth “embraces” and “clings” — acting like a person holding someone.
- The wind “sings” — acting like a person making music.
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4. Identify one example of hyperbole: explain what is being exaggerated.
Hyperbole is an extreme exaggeration for effect.
Look at:
> “Quivering emeralds out of a bottomless pouch.”
“Bottomless pouch” means the pouch has no bottom — so it never empties. That’s impossible! It’s exaggerated to show how endless his supply of seeds feels.
Also:
> “I am bathed in a sweat of pearls.”
→ Sweat isn’t made of pearls — but calling it “pearls” exaggerates how precious or beautiful even his hard work feels.
✔ Answer: “Bottomless pouch” is hyperbole — it exaggerates that the farmer never runs out of seeds, even though that’s not possible.
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5. What is the subject of this poem? What is this poem about? Explain your response.
The poem talks about a farmer working the land — plowing, sowing, feeling the soil, sweating, singing. He sees beauty and value in his work.
He compares farming to sailing, calls seeds gems, says the earth hugs him — all showing love and respect for the land and labor.
✔ Answer: The subject is farming — specifically, the joy and dignity of working the land. The poem is about how the farmer finds beauty, purpose, and connection in his daily work with nature.
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6. What is the tone of this poem? How does the speaker treat the subject of the poem? Refer to text.
Tone = the writer’s attitude toward the topic.
The speaker uses words like “sing,” “gems,” “emeralds,” “pearls,” “brightening ultimate slope.” These are positive, proud, almost sacred words.
He doesn’t complain about hard work — instead, he celebrates it. Even sweat becomes “pearls.”
✔ Answer: The tone is joyful, respectful, and proud. The speaker treats farming as noble and beautiful — not just hard labor, but something meaningful and full of wonder.
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7. What is the mood of this poem? How does this poem make you feel? Refer to text in your response.
Mood = how the reader feels when reading it.
Because the poet uses rich images (“emeralds,” “pearls,” “wind sings”), and shows pride in work, the mood feels peaceful, hopeful, and uplifting.
Even though farming is tough, the poem makes it feel rewarding and connected to nature.
✔ Answer: The mood is calm, proud, and inspired. Reading it makes me feel good about hard work and nature — like there’s beauty in simple, honest labor. Phrases like “I sing as I go” and “bathed in a sweat of pearls” make me feel happy and motivated.
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Final Answer:
1. Simile: “As a boat rides upon the water” — compares riding on plowed land to a boat on water.
2. Metaphors: “Scattering gems” (seeds = gems); “Quivering emeralds” (seeds = green jewels).
3. Personification: “Earth embraces my ankles” (earth acts human); “Wind sings upon my lips” (wind acts like a singer).
4. Hyperbole: “Bottomless pouch” — exaggerates that the seed supply never ends.
5. Subject: Farming — the poem is about finding beauty and meaning in working the land.
6. Tone: Joyful and respectful — the speaker sees farming as noble and wonderful.
7. Mood: Uplifting and peaceful — makes the reader feel proud of hard work and connected to nature.
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1. Identify one example of simile: explain which two things are being compared.
A simile uses “like” or “as” to compare two different things.
In the poem:
> “I will ride upon this heaving surface / As a boat rides upon the water.”
This is a simile because it uses “as” to compare riding on the plowed land to a boat riding on water.
✔ Answer: The speaker compares riding on the plowed land to a boat riding on water — both move smoothly over a surface that rises and falls.
---
2. Identify two examples of metaphor: explain which two things are being compared in each metaphor.
A metaphor says one thing *is* another (without “like” or “as”).
Example 1:
> “Scattering gems.”
→ The seeds being sown are called “gems.” So, seeds = gems. This shows how valuable the seeds are to the farmer.
Example 2:
> “Quivering emeralds out of a bottomless pouch.”
→ Again, the seeds are called “emeralds” (green gems). Also, the pouch holding them is “bottomless,” meaning it never runs out — exaggerating how much seed he has.
✔ Answer:
- “Scattering gems” → seeds are compared to precious gems.
- “Quivering emeralds” → seeds are again compared to green jewels; also implies they’re shiny and valuable.
---
3. Identify two examples of personification: explain what is being personified and how.
Personification gives human traits to non-human things.
Example 1:
> “The black earth embraces my ankles / And clings to my bent knees.”
→ Earth can’t really “embrace” or “cling” — those are human actions. Here, the soil acts like it’s hugging or holding onto the farmer.
Example 2:
> “The wind sings upon my lips”
→ Wind doesn’t actually sing — singing is something people do. The poet makes the wind seem alive and musical.
✔ Answer:
- The earth “embraces” and “clings” — acting like a person holding someone.
- The wind “sings” — acting like a person making music.
---
4. Identify one example of hyperbole: explain what is being exaggerated.
Hyperbole is an extreme exaggeration for effect.
Look at:
> “Quivering emeralds out of a bottomless pouch.”
“Bottomless pouch” means the pouch has no bottom — so it never empties. That’s impossible! It’s exaggerated to show how endless his supply of seeds feels.
Also:
> “I am bathed in a sweat of pearls.”
→ Sweat isn’t made of pearls — but calling it “pearls” exaggerates how precious or beautiful even his hard work feels.
✔ Answer: “Bottomless pouch” is hyperbole — it exaggerates that the farmer never runs out of seeds, even though that’s not possible.
---
5. What is the subject of this poem? What is this poem about? Explain your response.
The poem talks about a farmer working the land — plowing, sowing, feeling the soil, sweating, singing. He sees beauty and value in his work.
He compares farming to sailing, calls seeds gems, says the earth hugs him — all showing love and respect for the land and labor.
✔ Answer: The subject is farming — specifically, the joy and dignity of working the land. The poem is about how the farmer finds beauty, purpose, and connection in his daily work with nature.
---
6. What is the tone of this poem? How does the speaker treat the subject of the poem? Refer to text.
Tone = the writer’s attitude toward the topic.
The speaker uses words like “sing,” “gems,” “emeralds,” “pearls,” “brightening ultimate slope.” These are positive, proud, almost sacred words.
He doesn’t complain about hard work — instead, he celebrates it. Even sweat becomes “pearls.”
✔ Answer: The tone is joyful, respectful, and proud. The speaker treats farming as noble and beautiful — not just hard labor, but something meaningful and full of wonder.
---
7. What is the mood of this poem? How does this poem make you feel? Refer to text in your response.
Mood = how the reader feels when reading it.
Because the poet uses rich images (“emeralds,” “pearls,” “wind sings”), and shows pride in work, the mood feels peaceful, hopeful, and uplifting.
Even though farming is tough, the poem makes it feel rewarding and connected to nature.
✔ Answer: The mood is calm, proud, and inspired. Reading it makes me feel good about hard work and nature — like there’s beauty in simple, honest labor. Phrases like “I sing as I go” and “bathed in a sweat of pearls” make me feel happy and motivated.
---
Final Answer:
1. Simile: “As a boat rides upon the water” — compares riding on plowed land to a boat on water.
2. Metaphors: “Scattering gems” (seeds = gems); “Quivering emeralds” (seeds = green jewels).
3. Personification: “Earth embraces my ankles” (earth acts human); “Wind sings upon my lips” (wind acts like a singer).
4. Hyperbole: “Bottomless pouch” — exaggerates that the seed supply never ends.
5. Subject: Farming — the poem is about finding beauty and meaning in working the land.
6. Tone: Joyful and respectful — the speaker sees farming as noble and wonderful.
7. Mood: Uplifting and peaceful — makes the reader feel proud of hard work and connected to nature.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of 8th grade poetry worksheet.
