A Far Cry from Africa

1. What literary device is demonstrated in the lines “Kikuyu, quick as flies, / Batten upon the bloodstreams of the veldt” (Lines 2-3)?

A) simile

B) metaphor

C) onomatopoeia

D) irony               

2. Which of these is the best example of personification?

A) “wind is ruffling the tawny pelt” (Line 1)

B) “brutish necessity wipes its hands” (Line 22)

C) “violence of beast on beast is read” (Line 15)

D) “the napkin of a dirty cause” (Line 23)

3. Which of these is an example of alliteration?

A) “dust of ibises” (Line 12)

B) “carcass of a drum” (Line 19)

C) “colonel of carrion” (Line 5)

D) “of colonial policy” (Line 8)

4. Which of these ideas best describes the theme of the poem?

A) The poet identifies with his African ancestry.

B) The poet idealizes his English language.

C) The poet distances himself from both Africa and England.

D) The poet relates to both his African ancestry and his English inheritance.