Question

text - dependent questions
directions: for the following questions, choose the best answer or respond in complete sentences.

1. using evidence from the text, explain what the “roads” symbolize in this poem.
2. how do lines 9 - 12 affect the meaning of the poem?

a the speaker admits that both roads were untraveled, revealing that the indecisive speaker never chose a road.
b the speaker admits that the two roads were actually similar, suggesting that one choice was not clearly better than the other.
c the speaker admits that the first road was actually more traveled than the second, suggesting that he made the wrong choice.
d the speaker admits that the two roads were actually just one, revealing that the speaker is lying about having to make a difficult choice.

1. which statement best describes the significance of lines 13 - 15 on the meaning of the poem?

a the speaker is not worried they made the wrong choice because they can return to take the other road.
b the speaker is worried they took the more traveled road and will not be able to return to take the less traveled one.
c the speaker understands that taking one opportunity will likely prevent them from going back to take another.
d the speaker believes that they will be able to take all of the opportunities presented to them at some point in life.
the road not taken
by robert frost
1915
robert frost (1874 - 1963) was an american poet whose poems often drew on new england countryside. “the road not taken” is one of frost’s most well - known poems. as you read the poem, identify the imagery the speaker uses to describe the roads.
1 two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and sorry i could not travel both
and be one traveler, long i stood
and looked down one as far as i could
to where it bent in the undergrowth;
5 then took the other, as just as fair,
and having perhaps the better claim,
because it was grassy and wanted wear;
though as for that the passing there
had worn them really about the same.
10 and both that morning equally lay
in leaves no step had trodden black.
oh, i kept the first for another day!
yet knowing how way leads on to way,
i doubted if i should ever come back.
15 i shall be telling this with a sigh
somewhere ages and ages hence:
two roads diverged in a wood, and i -
i took the one less traveled by,
20 and that has made all the difference.

1. diverge (verb) to separate from another route or go in a different direction
2. a dense growth of shrubs and other plants, especially under trees
3. lacked
4. crushed, flattened, or walked upon

Explanation:

1. In the poem "The Road Not Taken", the "roads" symbolize life - choices. The speaker stands at a fork in the road, representing a moment of decision - making. Each road represents a different path in life with its own set of outcomes.
2. Lines 9 - 12 show the speaker admitting that the two roads were actually similar, suggesting that one choice was not clearly better than the other. This is evident from "Had worn them really about the same."
3. Lines 13 - 15 ("Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back") indicate that the speaker understands that taking one opportunity will likely prevent them from going back to take another. Once a choice is made, it is difficult to reverse or revisit the other option.

Answer:

1. The "roads" symbolize life - choices.
2. B. The speaker admits that the two roads were actually similar, suggesting that one choice was not clearly better than the other.
3. C. The speaker understands that taking one opportunity will likely prevent them from going back to take another.