Estimated Reading Time: 16 min
The Last Ride Together MCQs
1. Which literary age is “The Last Ride Together” most characteristic of, based on its author and stylistic elements?
A. Elizabethan
B. Modernist
C. Victorian
D. Romantic
2. In the opening stanza, what is the speaker’s initial emotional tone regarding his situation?
A. Deep despair leading to a desire for vengeance.
B. Bitter resentment and anger.
C. Naive optimism despite rejection.
D. Resignation and a surprising sense of thankfulness.
3. What is the speaker’s attitude towards “fate” regarding his love?
A. He believes it can be changed through effort.
B. He accepts it as predetermined and unavoidable.
C. He is actively fighting against it.
D. He blames his mistress for his ill fate.
4. What does the speaker acknowledge about his fate at the beginning of the poem?
A. That it is entirely in his hands
B. That he now knows it, and it needs must be
C. That it will change if he strives enough
D. That it is still uncertain
5. What does the speaker say his “whole heart rises up to bless” in the opening section?
A. The journey ahead
B. His own destiny
C. The power of love
D. His mistress’s name in pride and thankfulness
6. What specific request does the speaker make of his mistress after acknowledging the failure of his love?
A. To part ways immediately and definitively.
B. For “one more last ride” with her.
C. To return the hope she gave him.
D. To marry him despite the odds.
7. What does the speaker claim from his mistress after his love fails?
A. A new beginning
B. A complete severance of ties
C. A promise of future happiness
D. Only a memory of the hope she gave
8. How does the mistress initially respond to the speaker’s plea for “one more last ride”?
A. She turns away in disgust.
B. She expresses pity and sorrow aloud.
C. She fixes him with a silent, intense gaze.
D. She immediately agrees with a joyful smile.
9. What physical action of the mistress’s face is described when she considers his request?
A. Her eyes close
B. She bent that brow of hers
C. Her smile brightens
D. Her lips tremble
10. How does the mistress’s expression change as she considers the speaker’s request?
A. She smiles widely
B. Her pride demurs as pity softens through her eyes
C. It remains impassive
D. She shows immediate anger
11. What is the immediate effect of the mistress’s intense gaze on the speaker?
A. It causes him to regret his request.
B. It makes him question his sanity.
C. It fills him with renewed despair.
D. It replenishes his spirit and makes him feel “deified.”
12. What does the speaker imply about the gravity of the mistress’s decision by saying “With life or death in the balance”?
A. His physical life was literally at stake
B. His emotional well-being and sense of purpose hung on her reply
C. It was a trivial moment
D. She was deciding whether to kill him
13. The line “So, one day more am I deified” suggests the speaker feels:
A. Confused and lost
B. Like a mere mortal
C. Humbled and ashamed
D. Elevated to a god-like state by the agreement
14. Based on the imagery used, what time of day does the ride primarily take place?
A. Evening or twilight, progressing towards night.
B. Mid-afternoon.
C. Dawn or early morning.
D. The exact time is ambiguous and irrelevant.
15. What is the primary physical setting of the poem?
A. An open, outdoor landscape.
B. A room inside a dwelling.
C. An enclosed garden.
D. A dream world, undefined by physical space.
16. As the ride begins, how does the speaker describe the state of his soul?
A. It remains cramped and pained.
B. It feels empty and devoid of emotion.
C. It becomes agitated and restless.
D. It smooths out and becomes refreshed.
17. What poetic device and image does the speaker use to describe his soul smoothing out during the ride?
A. A blossoming flower.
B. A wild bird taking flight.
C. A long-cramped scroll unfolding.
D. A calm, still lake.
18. Once the ride commences, what philosophical question does the speaker dismiss as irrelevant?
A. What might have been had he acted differently in the past.
B. The meaning of life itself.
C. Whether he will ever find true love again.
D. Whether the world will end tonight.
19. The line “Might she have loved me? just as well / She might have hated, who can tell!” indicates the speaker’s view on:
A. The certainty of love
B. Her unwavering affection
C. The unknowable nature of the mistress’s true feelings
D. The power of his own love
20. As they ride, how does the world appear to the speaker?
A. It becomes larger
B. It rushed by on either side
C. Disappears entirely
D. It stands still
21. What question does the speaker pose about general human success?
A. Is success truly desirable?
B. All men strive and who succeeds?
C. Who truly fails?
D. Who knows what success means?
22. The speaker contrasts his “riding” favorably with the perceived “unsuccess” of which general group of people?
A. People who choose solitary lives.
B. Individuals who pursue only material wealth.
C. Those striving for public achievements and renown.
D. Ordinary laborers.
23. How does the speaker contrast “the petty done” and “the undone vast”?
A. He sees them as equally important
B. He believes the done is always vast
C. Hé suggests the undone is insignificant
D. As a measure of human achievement versus unfulfilled potential
24. What physical action of the mistress does the speaker specifically notice during the ride?
A. Her bosom heave
B. Her smiling
C. Hér hand resting on his arm
D. Her eyes meeting his
25. What does the speaker question about the pairing of “hand and brain” or “heart and daring”?
A. If they are the same in everyone
B. If they ever worked in harmony
C. They are necessary for success
D. If they are always perfectly matched
26. What is a “crown” described as being available for?
A. For poets only
B. For soldiers only
C. Fór who can reach
D. For those who are born into royalty
27. What is presented as a soldier’s “atonement”?
A. Financial reward
B. A medal of honor
C. The flag stuck on a heap of bones and a name scratched on Abbey-stones
D. Public praise
28. How does the speaker describe the poet’s skill?
A. Their ability to earn money
B. Their leadership qualities
C. Théir capacity to express what others only felt and hold things beautiful in rhyme
D. Their physical strength
29. What does the speaker ask the poet about their personal well-being despite their artistic skill?
A. If they are Nearer one whit your own sublime
B. If they are well-respected
C. They enjoy their work
D. If they are physically strong
30. What does the sculptor’s “Venus” contrast with in the poem?
A. A painting
B. Another famous statue
C. The yonder girl that fords the burn
D. A piece of music
31. What does the speaker imply about the “man of music” and their legacy?
A. That their music will last forever
B. That their work is universally praised
C. Thát music is the most popular art form
D. That in music we know how fashions end!
32. What personal sacrifice does the speaker mention?
A. His time
B. Family
C. His youth
D. His wealth
33. What seems to be the speaker’s evolving view on traditional success or achievement as he rides?
A. He questions its ultimate value, finding his present experience superior.
B. He believes it is the only true measure of a worthwhile life.
C. He decides to pursue similar ambitions himself.
D. He is envious of others’ accomplishments.
34. What does the speaker explicitly state about “My riding” in contrast to the statesman and soldier?
A. It is more challenging
B. That is a waste of time
C. It is better
D. It is less important
35. What audacious thought crosses the speaker’s mind regarding the end of the world?
A. That he needs to prepare for the apocalypse
B. That he wishes the world would end tonight
C. Thát the world will continue as normal
D. That he should not think about such things
36. What is the state of the speaker’s flesh when “heaven was here!”?
A. It must transform
B. It must become stronger
C. Flesh must remain unchanged
D. It must fade
37. What emotions does the mistress display when “leant she and linger’d” on the speaker’s breast?
A. Joy and fear
B. Sadness and regret
C. Anger and indifference
D. Excitement and anticipation
38. What question does the speaker ask about what is “fit for us”?
A. What is the purpose of fitness?
B. Are we ever truly fit?
C. Who knows what ‘s fit for us?
D. Is anything truly fit?
39. What scenario does the speaker imagine if “bliss” were proposed and he signed a bond for it?
A. He would still need to lead some life beyond
B. He would regret it immediately
C. Hé would share it with everyone
D. He would live happily ever after
40. What does the “foot once planted on the goal” signify?
A. The achievement of a final objective
B. A dance move
C. A pause in their ride
D. The end of a physical journey
41. What makes the speaker “sink back shuddering from the quest” for a fixed “glory-garland” or goal?
A. Fear of the unknown
B. His physical exhaustion
C. The mistress’s direct refusal
D. The implication that such a goal would end further seeking or living
42. The question “Earth being so good, would heaven seem best?” suggests the speaker’s:
A. Discontent with both earth and heaven
B. Belief that earth is a trial
C. Absolute preference for heaven
D. Contentment with his current earthly experience
43. Where does the speaker state “heaven and she are beyond this ride”?
A. They have already passed away
B. They are conceptually distinct from the current moment of riding
C. He has given up on both
D. They are literally off in the distance
44. What observation does the speaker make about his mistress’s communication during the ride?
A. She has been singing
B. She has not spoken so long!
C. She has spoken frequently
D. She has been giving directions
45. How does the speaker imagine “heaven” in the last, if it were not this ride?
A. As a peaceful garden
B. A place of solitude
C. As that, fair and strong
D. As a reunion with his family
46. Towards the end of the poem, what ultimate possibility does the speaker contemplate regarding their ride?
A. That it will lead to the return of their past love.
B. That it will soon end in tragedy.
C. Thát it might continue indefinitely, becoming eternal.
D. That it will be forgotten by the world.
47. The phrase “The instant made eternity” in the final section describes:
A. A sudden realization of doom
B. An ecstatic moment
C. A moment of profound experience stretched into endlessness
D. A desire for things to remain static
48. What is the speaker’s ultimate wish for heaven at the poem‘s conclusion?
A. That heaven just proves that she and I ride forever
B. A static, unchanging paradise
C. A place of eternal rest
D. A return to their past life
49. What is the speaker’s personal declaration regarding riding?
A. That riding is only for young people
B. That riding’s a joy! For me, I ride.
C. Thát riding is a difficult task
D. That riding makes him tired
50. What does the speaker claim is “better” than the achievements of a statesman or soldier?
A. His own act of “My riding”
B. Political influence
C. Wealth accumulation
D. Artistic creation
