Read the poem.

Sea Rose
by H.D. (Hilda Doolittle)

Rose, harsh rose,
marred and with stint of petals,
meagre flower, thin,
sparse of leaf,

more precious
than a wet rose
single on a stem—
you are caught in the drift.

Stunted, with small leaf,
you are flung on the sand,
you are lifted
in the crisp sand
that drives in the wind.

Can the spice-rose
drip such acrid fragrance
hardened in a leaf?
Question 1

Part A

What is the central idea of the poem "Sea Rose" by H.D. (Hilda Doolittle)?

1. The sea rose's lack of petals, small leaves, and bitter smell make it unappealing.

2. The rose gets stuck in the currents between the sea and the sand, making it less worthy.

3. The sea rose, even with its acrid scent, is more endearing than the traditional rose.

4. The more traditional rose—the spice-rose—is most preferred to roses battered by sea and sand.

Question 2

Part B

Which detail from the poem best develops the central idea identified in Part A?

1. “more precious / than a wet rose / single on a stem—"

2. “Stunted, with small leaf / you are flung on the sand”

3. “marred and with stint of petals, / meagre flower, thin"

4. “you are lifted / in the crisp sand / that drives in the wind”