Question

which statement best describes the central idea of \foreign lands\?

• the speaker takes joy in climbing trees to look for a new place to live.
• the speaker takes joy in climbing trees and imagining far-off places.
• the speaker takes joy in climbing trees and observing other countries.
• the speaker takes joy in climbing trees to spy on his neighbors.

Explanation:

Analyze the poem's context

Using the Poetry Analysis knowledge point
The question asks for the central idea of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic poem "Foreign Lands." In this poem, a young child climbs up into a cherry tree. From this elevated vantage point, the child observes the surrounding garden, the river, and the dusty roads, while imagining where those paths might lead—specifically to "foreign lands" and magical places where children dine at five.

Evaluate the options

Using the Central Idea knowledge point

• Option 1: "The speaker takes joy in climbing trees to look for a new place to live." This is incorrect because the child is playing and imagining, not searching for a new home.
• Option 2: "The speaker takes joy in climbing trees and imagining far-off places." This is correct. The child climbs the tree to look abroad on foreign lands, using their imagination to envision where the roads and rivers lead.
• Option 3: "The speaker takes joy in climbing trees and observing other countries." This is incorrect because the child cannot literally see other countries from a backyard cherry tree; they are imagining them.
• Option 4: "The speaker takes joy in climbing trees to spy on his neighbors." This is incorrect as the poem focuses on wonder, nature, and imagination, not spying on neighbors.

Answer:

• The speaker takes joy in climbing trees to look for a new place to live.
• The speaker takes joy in climbing trees and imagining far-off places. (Correct answer)
• The speaker takes joy in climbing trees and observing other countries.
• The speaker takes joy in climbing trees to spy on his neighbors.