The following text is from the poem "The White Birch" by a fictional poet. I have spotted a stark, pale shape, Slender and silent, Against the gray, gray hill, A white birch tree, Fragile, Ghostly, A bone needle Stitching the mist. Why, silent needle, are you so pale? And why do you pierce the fog?
Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?
The speaker describes a natural object, then asks questions about its appearance and purpose.
The speaker complains about the weather, then imagines a better landscape.
The speaker analyzes a scientific phenomenon, then rejects the scientific explanation.
The speaker recalls a childhood memory, then compares it to the present day.
Correct Answer: A
Choice A is the best answer. The first half describes the birch tree ("pale shape," "bone needle"). The second half asks questions ("Why... are you so pale?").
Choice B is incorrect. The speaker observes nature, not complaining about weather. Choice C is incorrect. It is a poem, not a scientific analysis. Choice D is incorrect. There is no mention of a childhood memory.