"Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes

Which of the following best describes who the speaker is, who is being spoken to, and what is being discussed in the poem?

• a mother telling a story to her son about her own childhood

• a mother giving advice to her son about the difficulties in life

• a narrator telling the story of a mother and son

• a mother telling her son what needs to be repaired in their house

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.5

In lines 15-16, the speaker says "Don't you set down on the steps/'Cause you finds it's kinder hard." This is an example of dialect that Hughes uses throughout the poem. What do these lines mean?

• Don't step on the stairs because you'll fall through the boards.

• Don't sit down on the steps because it's not a kind thing to do.

• Don't set anything down on the steps if you feel tired.

• Don't sit down on the steps if you feel tired

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

Line 7 is comprised of just one word, bare. Which of the following definitions of bare apply to its use in the context of this poem?

• not filled, covered, or decorated; empty

• unconcealed; undisguised; in plain sight; not hidden

• plain; simple

• only just enough; nothing extra

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.5

Which piece of evidence best supports the fact that bare means "not filled, covered, or decorated; empty"?

• "find it's kinder hard" (16)

• "ain't been no light" (13)

• "no carpet on the floor" (6)

• "I'se still climbin" (19)

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

Which of the following statements best explains the metaphor that Hughes is using in the poem?

• The speaker describes herself climbing up a difficult and dangerous staircase, which is a figurative depiction of her ongoing struggles in life.

• The speaker describes herself climbing up a beautiful and crystal staircase, which is symbolic of her own goals and the struggle towards them.

• The speaker describes herself climbing up a poorly-kept staircase which transforms into a crystal one, which represents her ability to rise about difficulties.

• The speaker describes herself going down a difficult and dangerous staircase, which is a figurative depiction of her continued problems.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.5

Which part of the following statements best describes this mother's ideas about life and the advice she is giving to her son?

• Hope is the answer to all challenges

• Your struggles make you who you are

• Keep going, no matter what struggles you face.

• People will try to stand in your way.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

Which of the pieces of evidence best support that the mother's ideas about life & advice to her son are "to keep going, no matter what struggles you face"?

• "Life for me ain't been no crystal stair." (2)

• "Don't you set down on the steps/'Cause you finds it's kinder hard." (15-16)

• "...sometimes goin' in the dark/Where there ain't been no light." (12-13)

• "It's had tacks in it" (3)

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.8.5