Hanging Fire Comprehension Questions

What does the closed door symbolize in "Hanging Fire"?

• The neediness of the child

• The child’s nervousness

• The mother’s heartache for the child

• The mother’s lack of attention towards the child.

What can be inferred about the speaker’s relationship with the mother through the use of the repeated phrase in each stanza in "Hanging Fire"?

• they do not have a strong relationship

• they are very close

• the speaker and the mother just got in a fight

• the speaker misses their father

One theme of "Hanging Fire" is...

• Children are resilient

• Doors closed mean privacy

• Teenagers still need their parents' support

Which phrase from “Hanging Fire” indicates that the speaker is not an adult?

• "always so ashy"

• "what if I die"

• "I am fourteen"

• "too small for me"

A concern that the speaker in “Hanging Fire” repeats in each stanza relates to

• dying soon

• needing help

• feeling happy

• wanting space

What inference can be made based on all the concerns and worries the speaker has?

• The speaker is ready to go to college

• The speaker is very friendly

• The speaker has low confidence

• The speaker is willing to cheat to get on the Math Team

Which of the following pieces of explicit evidence BEST supports the inference that the speaker is “hanging fire,” or waiting around before taking action?

• “Why do I have to be the one wearing braces”

• ”I should have been on Math Team”

• “There is nothing I want to do and too much that has to be done”

• ”and momma’s in the bedroom with the door closed”

Which piece of textual evidence supports the analysis that the speaker’s crush isn’t as mature as the speaker would like?

• “Nobody even stops to think about my side of it”

• “My marks were better than his”

• “Still sucks his thumb in secret”

• “My skin has betrayed me”

Which of the following pieces of textual evidence DOES NOT support the inference that the speaker often feels overlooked or ignored?

• “Momma’s in the bedroom with the door closed”

• “I should have been on Math Team. My marks were better than his.”

• “Nobody even stops to think about my side of it”

• ”Will I live long enough to grow up”

Which inference would NOT be made about the speaker’s statement that their “skin has betrayed [them]?”

• the speaker might have acne

• the speaker might not like the color of their skin

• The speaker’s face is ashy