"Hanging Fire" and "Summer of his 14th year"

Core

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RI.9-10.7

CCSS.RL.8.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

1. In “Hanging Fire,” what does the poet imply by including the refrain and momma’s in the bedroom / with the door closed at the end of each stanza?

• The speaker thinks her mother is lonely.
• The speaker wants to open the door and surprise her mother.
• The speaker feels cut off from her mother and is lonely.
• The speaker is proud that she can take care of herself without her mother.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

2. In “Hanging Fire,” the poet’s use of free verse makes the speaker sound like a teenager who is —

• giving a formal speech at school
• discussing problems with a friend
• singing a song to prepare for a talent show
• describing personal experiences to a parent

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

3. In “Hanging Fire,” the poet uses the image of the closed door —

• to suggest that the mother is angry with her daughter
• as a symbol of the isolation the daughter feels
• as a metaphor for the sympathy the daughter has for her mother
• to suggest that the mother would help if she had more time

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

4. In “Hanging Fire,” the poet describes the speaker’s fears and worries to give the reader insight into —

• common experiences many teens face on a daily basis
• unique experiences only the mother can understand
• moments the speaker would only discuss with a true friend
• struggles that frustrate every parent of a teen

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

5. Which sentence best describes the effect of the short lines in “Hanging Fire”?

• They highlight how young and immature the speaker is.
• They illustrate the speaker’s lack of ability to express herself fully.
• They show that the speaker prefers to keep the details of her life private.
• They indicate the fleeting thoughts going through the speaker’s head each moment.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

6. What does the poet imply about the speaker’s relationship with her son in “Summer of His Fourteenth Year”?

• The speaker feels more distant from her son.
• The speaker helps her son pursue his interests.
• The speaker listens to her son as he describes his problems.
• The speaker appreciates that her son demonstrates responsibility.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

7. In “Summer of His Fourteenth Year,” the poet most likely uses varied line lengths in the poem to —

• provide variety to interest a teen audience
• create a predictable rhythmical pattern
• portray the changing moods of a teen
• emphasize the bond between mother and son

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

8. Which statement best expresses the theme developed by lines 20–24 of “Summer of His Fourteenth Year”?

• Teens still rely on their mothers in times of need.
• Teens feel constantly embarrassed by their mothers.
• Teens sometimes want a closer connection to their mothers.
• Teens try to grow up by pulling away from their mothers.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

9. The two points of view in the poems emphasize the challenges of adolescence by —

• showing teens’ desire to gain more responsibility and independence
• illustrating teens’ thought processes and emotional responses
• showing how teens and parents struggle with the transition to adulthood
• illustrating how parents feel frustrated by the behavior of their teens

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.7.7

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.7