ELA Grade 6 Reading Passage (Poetry Level 2)

Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System

Practice Assessment

Student Name: _______________________

The River's Song

Read the poem and then answer the questions that follow.

The river runs along the ground,

It makes a soft and silver sound.

It jumps over rocks both big and small,

It never seems to tire at all.

It carries leaves like tiny boats,

Upon the water each one floats.

The fish swim fast in deep blue pools,

Away from the sun where it is cool.

The river sings a song so sweet,

It washes over tired feet.

It flows into the big wide sea,

As happy as a river can be.

Proceed to questions on next page

Part I: Multiple Choice

1.

Which statement best describes the central message of the poem?

A

The river is a busy and cheerful part of nature.

B

The river is dangerous for fish and birds.

C

The river is lonely as it flows toward the sea.

D

The river only moves during the daytime.

2.

In the second stanza, the poet compares leaves to "tiny boats." Why does the poet use this comparison?

A

To show that the leaves are heavy and sinking.

B

To show that the leaves are moving smoothly on top of the water.

C

To show that people are riding on the leaves.

D

To show that the river is making the leaves dirty.

3.

How does the rhyme in the poem contribute to its overall tone?

A

It makes the poem feel scary and dark.

B

It makes the poem feel sad and slow.

C

It makes the poem feel rhythmic and musical, like a song.

D

It makes the poem feel confusing and hard to read.

4.

In the first stanza, the poet describes a "silver sound." What does this phrase most likely describe?

A

The bright light reflecting off the moving water.

B

The clear and pleasant noise of the river flowing.

C

The sound of people dropping silver coins in the water.

D

The heavy noise of rocks falling into the river.

5.

In the third stanza, the poet says the river "flows into the big wide sea." What does this line tell the reader about the river's journey?

A

The river is lost and cannot find its way.

B

The river has reached its final destination.

C

The river is afraid of the large ocean.

D

The river is stopping its movement forever.

6.

Which stanza focuses most on the living things that use the river?

A

Stanza 1

B

Stanza 2

C

Stanza 3

D

The whole poem equally

7.

The poet describes the river as "happy." This is an example of —

A

a simile using the word "like."

B

personification (giving human feelings to a river).

C

alliteration (repeating the same letter sound).

D

an exaggeration that is not true.

Part II: Open Response

8.

The poet describes the river as having "tired feet." Explain what this phrase tells the reader about the river's effect on people. Use evidence from the poem to support your answer.

9.

Analyze how the structure of the stanzas follows the physical path of a river. How does this structure help the reader understand the theme of the poem? Use evidence from the text.

10.

The poet describes the river as "endless" and someone who "never seems to tire." Analyze how these word choices develop the theme of persistence in nature. Use details from the poem to support your answer.

River Song Level 2 Worksheet

River Song Level 2 Worksheet

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