Tintern Abby is a 12th-century monastery located in Wales. Now a roofless but spectacular ruin, it is a famous masterpiece of British Gothic architecture. By the 18th century, Tintern Abby became a major destination for writers and artists seeking “romantic ruins.” It is widely recognized as the inspiration for William Wordsworth’s 1798 poem “Lines Written a Few Miles Above Tintern Abby.”
Wordsworth’s poem did not inspire SAT test writers to contemplate the beauty and mystery of Nature. Instead, they used the opening line, “Once again do I BEHOLD these steep and lofty cliffs,” to ask students what the word BEHOLD most nearly means.
According to online dictionaries, BEHOLD means “to see or observe a thing or person, especially a remarkable or impressive one.” Unfortunately, SEE or OBSERVE are not listed as possible answers. That would be too easy! Instead, SAT test writers chose REGARD as a word that most nearly means BEHOLD.
REGARD does mean to BEHOLD or look at. It is true that Wordsworth does invite his readers to look at or REGARD the view of Tintern Abby as a source of spiritual inspiration and “lofty thoughts.”
BEHOLD – to see or REGARD