Question

no matter what i say,
all that i really love
is the rain that flattens on the bay,
and the eel-grass in the cove;
the jingle-shells that lie and bleach
at the tide-line, and the trace
of higher tides along the beach:
nothing in this place.
(\eel-grass,\ by edna st. vincent millay)
part a
what is the central idea of the poem?

1. the speaker loves being outdoors more than being indoors.
2. the present location of the speaker is much less desirable than the seaside.
3. the speaker loves keeping a record of the many interesting features of the seaside.
4. the opinion of the speaker is that the outdoors has both positive and negative aspects.

part b
how does the first line of the poem help develop the correct central idea from part a?

1. the line suggests that sometimes the ideas of the speaker are unpopular.
2. the line suggests that sometimes the true feelings of the speaker are hidden.
3. the line suggests that the speaker has conversations with a variety of people.
4. the line suggests that the speaker is uncomfortable expressing personal thoughts.

Explanation:

For Part A: The poem contrasts the speaker's deep affection for specific seaside elements (rain on the bay, eel-grass, jingle-shells) with their dismissal of their current place ("Nothing in this place"). This shows the seaside is far more desirable than where they are now.
For Part B: The first line "No matter what I say" implies the speaker may state other things, but their true love is for the seaside, meaning their real feelings are not what they might outwardly express.

Answer:

Part A: 2. The present location of the speaker is much less desirable than the seaside.
Part B: 2. The line suggests that sometimes the true feelings of the speaker are hidden.