Think you’ve got your head wrapped around Turtle? Put your knowledge to
the test. Good luck — the Stickman is counting on you!
Q. In "Turtle," the poet uses boating metaphors primarily to
stress that the turtle is clumsy and accident-prone.
describe the turtle's slow travels in search of food.
explain that most turtles live entirely or partly in the water.
suggest the turtle's desire to chill out on a fancy vacation cruise.
Q. The main purpose of the simile in lines 5 and 6 ("Her track is graceless, like dragging / A packing-case places") is to
stress that the turtle's progress is awkward and exhausting.
describe the evasive actions the turtle must take to escape predators.
explain why the turtle must travel long distances in order to find food.
show that the turtle packs everything but the kitchen sink when she travels.
Q. Why is the "ditch" described in lines 10-11 especially hazardous for the turtle?
Because the ditch does not contain any food sources for the turtle
Because the time spent navigating the ditch will delay the turtle's journey
Because the turtle could land in a helpless upside-down position in the ditch
Because the turtle might get her favorite skirt muddy if she falls into the ditch
Q. In line 13, what does the metaphor of "wings" represent?
Escape from a life of hardship and danger
Transition from the material world to a spiritual afterlife
Vulnerability to flying predators such as crows and hawks
Transformation into the world's one-and-only famous flying turtle
Q. Kay Ryan would most likely say that "Turtle" is like a "clown suitcase" because the poem is
meant to be funny rather than serious.
packed with many different images and ideas.
designed to express the poet's intense frustration.
full of balloons, bicycle horns, and rubber chickens.