"Spirit Walking in the Tundra" by Joy Harjo

A key idea explored in the poem is the impact of —.

• technology on nature

• distance on one’s friendships

• place on one’s identity

• parents on their children

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This poem alludes to the Native American tradition of spirit walking. For the speaker, the spirit walk most likely represents —.

• a blind leap of faith

• an escape from reality

• a path to self-knowledge

• a road map for the future

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For which two reasons does the poet most likely use personification in line 1?

• to indicate how quickly the plane is moving

• to describe the movement of the plane’s shadow

• to imply that the speaker is reluctant to arrive at her destination

• to suggest that the flight is related to the speaker’s spirit walk

• to foreshadow the darkness that awaits

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How do lines 9–11 reinforce a theme of the poem?

• They show a relationship between native people and nature.

• They remind the speaker that she is far from home.

• They introduce tension between the speaker and her friend.

• They demonstrate how hard life is for native people.

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

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Line 12 is much shorter than the lines before it. How does this impact its meaning?

• It reveals how out of place the home looks.

• It shows the difference between the home and the outdoors.

• It indicates how uncomfortable the speaker feels in the home.

• It reinforces the idea that home is more than a physical place.

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Which two responses best describe the irony in lines 13–16?

• The son says one thing but does another.

• The son says one thing but believes another.

• The son’s words contrast with the thoughts of the speaker.

• The son’s actions contrast modern technology and traditional culture.

• The son’s actions contrast a casual pastime and a serious endeavor.

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CCSS.RL.7.5

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Read line 20 of the poem.

She is wearing designs like flowers, and a fur of ice.

The imagery in this line emphasizes —.

• the contrast between the beauty of spring and the dreariness of winter

• the connection between the woman and nature

• the contrast between the violence of nature and the innocence of the woman

• the similarity between natural and human-made materials

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The imagery in line 24 is used to suggest —.

• the stillness of the tundra

• the energizing effects of the walk

• the speaker’s distaste for the landscape

• the speaker’s preference for being outdoors

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Why does the speaker repeat Up here in the last two lines of the poem?

• to question the spiritual nature of the setting

• to show how the past influences the present

• to make a connection between sadness and happiness

• to emphasize the unique characteristics of the location

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The mood created by the last line of the poem is best described as —.

• peaceful

• fearful

• joyful

• solemn

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