Caged Bird by Maya Angelou

Which lines of the poem show that the caged bird has never been free?

• "his wings are clipped / his feet are tied / so he opens his throat to sing" (lines 12-14)

• "his tune is heard / on the distant hill / for the caged bird / sings for freedom" (lines 19-22)

• "The caged bird sings / with a fearful trill / of things unknown / but longed for still (lines 31-34)

What does the caged bird's singing reveal about him?

• He is terribly unhappy.

• He prefers to sing rather than to fly.

• He does not know how to sing.

• Singing is te only way he can talk to other birds.

What do these lines reveal about the caged bird?

• The caged bird is aware of his surroundings.

• The caged bird has strong feelings about his situation.

• The caged bird is satisfied with his life.

• The caged bird has difficulty flying.

The poem alternates between describing the free bird and the caged bird. This structure emphasizes

• the complicated struggle of being free

• the contrast between being free and confined

• the similarity between the experiences of being free and confined

• the caged bird and the free bird are the same

Stanzas 2 and 5 describe the caged bird: "his wings are clipped and / his feet are tied/ so he opens his throat to sing." This shows that

• the bird's body is imprisoned, but he refuses to stop expressing himself.

• the bird is imprisoned, but he is well-groomed and cared for.

• all birds sing the same song no matter their circumstances.

• the bird wants to entertain others despite being imprisoned.

The caged bird can be interpreted as a metaphor expressing the importance of

• acceptance

• helping others

• protecting birds

• freedom for all

What is the main conflict in this poem?

• The caged bird hates the free bird.

• The caged bird longs for the life of the free bird.

• The free bird laughs at the caged bird.

• The free bird cannot sing as well as the caged bird.

Which statement best describes the structure of "Caged Bird"?

• Each stanza in "Caged Bird" conveys a different location in nature.

• Each stanza in "Caged Bird" describes a different feeling in the speaker.

• Each stanza in "Caged Bird" conveys a different mood.

• Each stanza in "Caged Bird" describes the same aspect of birds.

Which line of the poem shows that the caged bird has never been free?

• “his wings are clipped and / his feet are tied / so he opens his throat to sing.” (lines 12–14)

• “his tune is heard / on the distant hill / for the caged bird / sings for freedom.” (lines 19–22)

• “The caged bird sings / with a fearful trill / of things unknown / but longed for still” (lines 31–34)

What does the free bird represent? (a)  

• White American Community

• African American Community

• Maya Angelou

• Immigrants