Hanging Fire

Which statement presents a main way in which “Hanging Fire” and “Translating Grandfather’s House” are similar in theme?

• Both poems focus on the absence of a caring mother.

• Both poems focus on the frustrations of a teenager’s life.

• Both poems focus on the fears that people have about the future.

• Both poems focus on the difference between imagination and reality.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

The speaker of “Hanging Fire” begins by saying, “I am fourteen / and my skin has betrayed me.” What does the choice of the word betrayed most likely indicate about the personality of the speaker?

• She does not trust people.

• She feels that life wants to trouble her.

• She cannot understand why she has problems.

• She wishes that she were something other than human.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

In “Hanging Fire,” what does the poet imply by including the refrain and momma’s in the bedroom / with the door closed at the end of each stanza?

• The speaker thinks her mother is lonely.

• The speaker wants to open the door and surprise her mother.

• The speaker feels cut off from her mother and is lonely.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

In “Hanging Fire,” the poet uses the image of the closed door —

• to suggest that the mother is angry with her daughter

• as a symbol of the isolation the daughter feels

• as a metaphor for the sympathy the daughter has for her mother

• to suggest that the mother would help if she had more time

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

In “Hanging Fire,” the poet describes the speaker’s fears and worries to give the reader insight into —

• common experiences many teens face on a daily basis

• unique experiences only the mother can understand

• moments the speaker would only discuss with a true friend

• struggles that frustrate every parent of a teen

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

Which sentence best describes the effect of the short lines in “Hanging Fire”?

• They highlight how young and immature the speaker is.

• They illustrate the speaker’s lack of ability to express herself fully.

• They show that the speaker prefers to keep the details of her life private.

• They indicate the fleeting thoughts going through the speaker’s head each moment.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

In “Hanging Fire,” the poet’s use of free verse makes the speaker sound like a teenager who is —

• giving a formal speech at school

• discussing problems with a friend

• singing a song to prepare for a talent show

• describing her personal experiences to a parent

  describing her personal experiences to a parent

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

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

• She is compassionate.

• She is attentive.

• She is unconcerned.

• She is not home.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

Which statement presents a main way in which “Hanging Fire” and “Translating Grandfather’s House” are similar in theme?

• Both poems focus on the absence of a caring mother.

• Both poems focus on the frustrations of a teenager’s life.

• Both poems focus on the fears that people have about the future.

• Both poems focus on the difference between imagination and reality.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.7.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.7

The speaker of “Hanging Fire” begins by saying, “I am fourteen / and my skin has betrayed me.” What does the choice of the word betrayed most likely indicate about the personality of the speaker?

• She does not trust people.

• She feels that life wants to trouble her.

• She cannot understand why she has problems.

• She wishes that she were something other than human.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9