Reading Poetry Closely is a free printable Grade 4 English worksheet on putting a line of poetry into plain words, aligned to Common Core standard RL.4.10. It prints 2 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two students in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.
Set 24 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.
Set 1 has all 25 in a single PDF. All 25 sets ask different questions.
Reading Poetry Closely
RL.4.10
NameDate
Write the letter of the match next to each one.
1.Match each line of poetry to what it means.
Autumn spends its gold on every tree.
Thunder grumbled, an old man in the hills.
The city never sleeps; its windows blink all night.
The river wound its silver ribbon to the sea.
A.The leaves turn yellow everywhere.
B.Lights stay on in the city all through the night.
C.Thunder rumbled low and far away.
D.The shining river curved its way to the sea.
2.Match each line of poetry to what it means.
The kettle sang its morning song.
The stars were scattered salt across the dark.
My heart was a drum that would not stop.
The wind went whistling through the keyhole like a thief.
A.I was very nervous or excited.
B.The kettle whistled as it boiled.
C.The wind crept sharply into the house.
D.Many small stars were spread over the sky.
LessonPrint · RL.4.10 · Set 24 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Reading Poetry Closely
Set 24. Prints on its own sheet.
1.1. Autumn spends its gold on every tree. — A (The leaves turn yellow everywhere.) 2. Thunder grumbled, an old man in the hills. — C (Thunder rumbled low and far away.) 3. The city never sleeps; its windows blink all night. — B (Lights stay on in the city all through the night.) 4. The river wound its silver ribbon to the sea. — D (The shining river curved its way to the sea.)
2.1. The kettle sang its morning song. — B (The kettle whistled as it boiled.) 2. The stars were scattered salt across the dark. — D (Many small stars were spread over the sky.) 3. My heart was a drum that would not stop. — A (I was very nervous or excited.) 4. The wind went whistling through the keyhole like a thief. — C (The wind crept sharply into the house.)
Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to RL.4.10 of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.