Sonnet 43 / Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Test Practice

Identify Main Ideas

With your partner, discuss how to answer these questions about the selection.

1. What idea is highlighted by the repetition of the phrase “I love thee”?
a. The speaker is trying to convince someone of her love.
b. The repetition stresses the breadth of the speaker’s love
c. The phrase is used ironically to show that the speaker really doesn’t care.
d. The words are repeated to form a refrain.


How does the information you gather as you read help you eliminate incorrect answers?

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