Quiz on Maya Angelou's Caged Bird

What is the connotation of the word "caged" in the context of the poem?

• Safety

• Oppression

• Comfort

• Shelter

The contrast between the free bird and the caged bird primarily serves to:

• Highlight the beauty of nature

• Reflect the poet's love of animals

• Juxtapose freedom and oppression

• Illustrate a personal relationship

In the line "and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees," what do the "trade winds" symbolize?

• Economic freedom

• Natural freedom

• Political conflict

• Colonial exploitation

What is the effect of juxtaposing the "free bird" and the "caged bird" throughout the poem?

• To emphasize the insignificance of freedom

• To suggest that both birds are trapped

• To show the stark difference in their experiences

• To argue that freedom is an illusion

The caged bird's "fearful trill" suggests:

• A hopeful cry for freedom

• A timid attempt at communication

• A desperate longing for liberty

• A peaceful acceptance of its fate

The phrase "grave of dreams" conveys:

• A place where dreams are kept safe

• The death of aspirations and hopes

• A peaceful resting place for thoughts

• A poetic metaphor for sleep

Which of the following best represents a theme of the poem?

• The joy of nature

• The resilience of hope despite oppression

• The necessity of dreams

• The inevitability of failure

The "bars of rage" surrounding the caged bird are symbolic of:

• The natural environment

• Physical imprisonment

• The emotional and psychological barriers of oppression

• Mental confusion

How does Angelou contrast the actions of the free bird and the caged bird to highlight a central theme?

• By depicting both birds as equally powerful

• By showing the free bird in flight and the caged bird in song

• By making the caged bird’s song louder than the free bird’s

• By portraying the free bird as unaware of the caged bird’s suffering

The line "his wings are clipped and his feet are tied" suggests:

• Willing captivity

• Forced limitation and restriction

• The bird’s carelessness

• Physical injury from flying