The sun does arise,
And make happy the skies.
The merry bells ring
To welcome the Spring.
[5]
The sky-lark and thrush,
The birds of the bush,
Sing louder around,
To the bells’ cheerful sound. 
While our sports shall be seen
[10]
On the Ecchoing Green.  
Old John, with white hair 
Does laugh away care,
Sitting under the oak,
Among the old folk, 
[15]
They laugh at our play, 
And soon they all say.
‘Such, such were the joys. 
When we all girls & boys, 
In our youth-time were seen, 
[20]
On the Ecchoing Green.’  
Till the little ones weary
No more can be merry
The sun does descend,
And our sports have an end: 
[25]
Round the laps of their mothers, 
Many sisters and brothers,
Like birds in their nest,
Are ready for rest;
And sport no more seen,
[30]
On the darkening Green.   PART A: Which of the following best describes a central theme of the text?
A.
Identity has little to no correlation to age.
B.
Growing up and aging happens quicker than expected; youth should be appreciated.
C.
Friendship is more valuable and constant in one's older years.
D.
Nature shows us how repetitive human life can be.PART B: Which of the following quotes best supports the answer to Part A?

A
“The sky-lark and thrush, / The birds of the bush, / Sing louder around, / To the bells’ cheerful sound.” ( Lines 5-8)
B
“Old John, with white hair / Does laugh away care, / Sitting under the oak, / Among the old folk” ( Lines 11-14)
C
“Till the little ones weary / No more can be merry / The sun does descend, / And our sports have an end” ( Lines 21-24)
D
“Round the laps of their mothers, / Many sisters and brothers, / Like birds in their nest” ( Lines 25-27)How does the poem’s setting (in terms of time) contribute to its overall meaning?

A
The poem takes place mostly at night, symbolic of the end of life and thus contributing to the theme of death.
B
The poem focuses on “Old John” as he reminisces about the past, and thus the poem’s setting takes place in two different times (past and present).
C
The poem takes place over the course of a day, symbolic of the course of one’s lifetime and thus contributing to the messages about youth and aging.
D
The poem takes place during the day and ends just before sundown, symbolic of the majority of a person’s life (i.e. adulthood), teaching the reader to value youth.Which of the following statements best describes how and when the mood changes throughout the poem?

A
The mood begins as energetic and cheerful, becomes more nostalgic in the 2nd stanza, and by the 3rd stanza it has diminished to weary and fatigued.
B
The mood in the  first stanza is softer than in the rest of the poem, in which it increases in cheer and energy.
C
The mood declines gradually over the course of the poem into a bleak sort of sadness and regret.
D
The mood stays consistent throughout the poem: nostalgic and longing.5.
How does the rhyme scheme contribute to the poem’s tone?