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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 7 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.

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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.
  • Thunder grumbled, an old man in the hills.
  • Her words were knives that cut me to the bone.
  • The sea threw its gray arms against the wall.
  • The moon, a silver coin, hung low above the hill.
  • A.What she said hurt my feelings badly.
  • B.Thunder rumbled low and far away.
  • C.The moon was round, bright and low in the sky.
  • D.Big waves crashed into the sea wall.
2.Match each line of poetry to what it means.
  • The old house groaned and settled into night.
  • The stars were scattered salt across the dark.
  • Autumn spends its gold on every tree.
  • The river wound its silver ribbon to the sea.
  • A.The leaves turn yellow everywhere.
  • B.Many small stars were spread over the sky.
  • C.The house creaked as it grew dark.
  • D.The shining river curved its way to the sea.

LessonPrint · RL.4.10 · Set 7 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Reading Poetry Closely

Set 7. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.1. Thunder grumbled, an old man in the hills. — B (Thunder rumbled low and far away.) 2. Her words were knives that cut me to the bone. — A (What she said hurt my feelings badly.) 3. The sea threw its gray arms against the wall. — D (Big waves crashed into the sea wall.) 4. The moon, a silver coin, hung low above the hill. — C (The moon was round, bright and low in the sky.)
  2. 2.1. The old house groaned and settled into night. — C (The house creaked as it grew dark.) 2. The stars were scattered salt across the dark. — B (Many small stars were spread over the sky.) 3. Autumn spends its gold on every tree. — A (The leaves turn yellow everywhere.) 4. The river wound its silver ribbon to the sea. — D (The shining river curved its way to the sea.)

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to RL.4.10 of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.