Mother to Son by Langston Hughes

Who is the speaker of the poem?

• Longfellow

• Mother

• Son

• Hughes

Life is compared with _________.

• A Crystal Stair

• A Ladder

• A Stage

• A Wooden Stair

Based from the poem, what mood is most created?

• Discouraging

• Encouraging

• Loving

• Mesmerizing

Which of the following lines express advice?

• Well, son, I’ll tell you:

  Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.

• I’se been a-climbin’ on,

  And reachin’ landin’s,

  And turnin’ corners,

  And sometimes goin’ in the dark

  Where there ain’t been no light.

• But all the time

  I’se been a-climbin’ on,

  And reachin’ landin’s,

  And turnin’ corners,

  And sometimes goin’ in the dark

  Where there ain’t been no light.

• So boy, don’t you turn back.

  Don’t you set down on the steps

  ’Cause you finds it’s kinder hard.

  Don’t you fall now—

  For I’se still goin’, honey,

  I’se still climbin’,

The mother's tone is best described as ...

• harsh

• fearful

• kind and firm

• indifferent

The author says that "Life for me ain't been no crystal stair."

As it is used in this poem, what does "crystal" mean?

• transparent and slippery

• rough

• beautiful and dangerous

• clear and smooth

The 1st person POV helps the reader --

• understand the struggles faced by the mom

• empathize with the son

• reflect on why the son is struggling

• the mother and son's relationship

Which line from the poem reflects a lesson the speaker wants her son to learn?

• Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair

• And places with no carpet on the floor

• So boy, don’t you turn back

• I’se still climbin’

Which lines from the poem best suggest that the speaker is persistent?

• It’s had tacks in it,/And splinters,

• And boards torn up,/And places with no carpet on the floor-

• For I’se still goin’ honey,/I’se still climbin’,

• ‘Cause you finds it’s kinder hard./Don’t you fall now-

The extended metaphor of life being compared to a staircase helps the reader--

• feel sorry for the struggling mother.

• want a better life for the speaker’s son.

• understand that the speaker’s life has been a constant struggle.

• realize that the speaker feels as if her life will never get any better.