1. The “tall abstractions” to which the speaker refers in the first stanza are—

a. Renaissance statues and paintings.

b. virtues and vices such as Truth and Villainy.

c. capital letters.

2. The speaker in the poem declares that allegorical virtues and vices showed off “their capital letters like license plates.” This is an appropriate comparison because license plates are—

a. highly visible.

b. required by law.

c. a symbol of permission.

3. Chastity is portrayed with “eyes downcast, veils fluttering.” The downcast eyes and the veils symbolize Chastity’s—

a. pride.

b. modesty.

c. honesty.

4. Remember that actions can be symbolic. Villainy is seen “sharpening an instrument behind a wall.” This suggests that the villainous or wicked are often—

a. secretive and underhanded, preparing their weapons out of sight.

b. prepared to use any “instrument” or weapon they can find to carry out their evil schemes.

c. so cruel that they will make their weapons sharp enough to inflict great pain on their victims.

5. Reason (intelligence, judgment) wears a crown to represent—

a. pleasure.

b. goodness.

c. authority.

6. Constancy appears “alert behind a helm.” This virtue is personified as—

a. an alert night watchman ready to act.

b. the captain of a ship guiding its passengers to safety.

c. a police officer trying to warn the public of possible danger.

All complete. Great job!