Question

sonnet 73
assigned by: morris smith
due: feb 6, 2026 11:59 pm

reading quiz
question 3
instructions
read the question carefully and select the best answer.
which statement most closely rephrases the speaker’s feelings below (lines 9–12)?
in me thou see’st the glowing of such fire
that on the ashes of his youth doth lie,
as the death - bed whereon it must expire
consumed with that which it was nourish’d by.
a. i am glowing brightly like a raging fire.
b. the ashes of my faded youth will extinguish what little flame of life is left.
c. i will extinguish the fire of my life.
d. i will consume the fire of life.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option by matching it to the meaning of the lines. The lines describe a fire (life) lying on the ashes of youth (past) and expiring on its death - bed, consumed by what nourished it (youth/ past).

• Option A: The lines don't just say the speaker is glowing brightly; they focus on the fire expiring, so A is incorrect.
• Option B: This option correctly captures the idea that the ashes of faded youth (past) will extinguish the remaining flame of life (present fire), matching the imagery of the fire expiring on the death - bed of youth.
• Option C: The speaker is not the one extinguishing the fire; the fire is expiring due to the ashes of youth, so C is incorrect.
• Option D: The fire is consumed by what nourished it (youth), not that the speaker will consume the fire of life, so D is incorrect.

Answer:

B. The ashes of my faded youth will extinguish what little flame of life is left.