Read the given extract.

Fill the blank with one word. When the poet says that the forest was empty, she means that it was __________ , rather than full of life.

Answer as written by the student: 

When the poet says that the forest was empty, she means that it was lifeless, rather than full of life.

Step-by-step explanation of the answer:

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To fill the blank with one word, we need to find a word that fits the context and meaning of the sentence. 📝

• We can also use our background knowledge or search for more information about the poem and the poet. 🔎
• In this case, the word we are looking for is an adjective that describes the forest before the trees moved out. We can use synonyms for ‘empty’, such as barren, deserted, or vacant. 🌲🌳🌴
• However, we also need to consider the contrast that the poet is making between the forest and the trees. The poet is implying that the forest was empty because it lacked the presence and movement of the trees, which are living beings. She is also suggesting that the trees have a will and a choice to leave their pots and go to the forest, where they can be free and natural. 🌱🌿🍃
• Therefore, we need a word that captures this contrast between the forest and the trees, and also reflects the poet’s perspective and tone. The poet is Adrienne Rich, who was a feminist and a social activist. She wrote this poem in 1973, during a time of political and personal turmoil. She used the metaphor of trees to express her own desire for liberation and transformation. 🙋‍♀️✊🌟

Therefore, a word that could fit the blank is ‘lifeless’, which means lacking life or vitality. This word contrasts with ‘full of life’, which is how the poet describes the trees. It also conveys the poet’s dissatisfaction with the forest, which represents the oppressive and artificial society that she wants to escape from. 😔👎👣

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