Question

poem excerpt:
life is real! life is earnest!
and the grave is not its goal;
dust thou art, to dust returnest,
was not spoken of the soul.

the tone of this excerpt is best described as:
a. forceful and resigned
b. playful and terse
c. doubtful and uncertain
d. urgent and instructive

poem excerpt:
life is real! life is earnest!
and the grave is not its goal;
dust thou art, to dust returnest,
was not spoken of the soul.

which statement best describes the sound and rhythm of these lines?
a. a steady meter reinforcing conviction and certainty
b. five verses with no predictable pattern
c. spoken word arranged into lines for emphasis
d. irregular rhythm reflecting emotional

Explanation:

First Question (Tone of the excerpt)

The excerpt ("Life is real! Life is earnest! And the grave is not its goal; Dust thou art, to dust returnest, Was not spoken of the soul.") has a serious, instructive tone about life’s purpose, not light - hearted (ruling out B), not doubtful (ruling out C), and not just mournful (ruling out A). Option D (urgent and instructive) fits as it conveys a strong, guiding message about life.

The lines have a steady meter (e.g., iambic or similar rhythmic pattern) that reinforces the certain and conviction - filled message about life. Option B is wrong as there is a pattern, C is wrong as it's poetry not just spoken word arranged, D is wrong as the rhythm is regular. So A (A steady meter reinforcing conviction and certainty) is correct.

Answer:

D. urgent and instructive

Second Question (Sound and rhythm of the lines)