Mother To Son

The Mother in the poem mainly compares life to

• a straight path to the stars

• a hazardous staircase

• a turbulent boat

• a teenaged boy

Which line from the poem best shows the Mother’s determination to persevere?

• “Well, son, I’ll tell you:”

• “And boards torn up,”

• “I’se been a-climbin’ on,”

• “Cause you find it’s kinder hard.”

With which of the following statements would the speaker of the poem most likely agree?

• If I can continue to try, then so can you.

• If you want nice things, you have to work hard.

• If your home is in disrepair, start with the interior.

• If life becomes difficult, walk away from the struggle.

“Don’t you set down on the steps” is advice the mother gives her son.

• True

• False

The mother says that, "Life for me ain't been no crystal stair." Used in this context, crystal is a metaphor for --

• A. a life that is transparent and colorless.

• B. a life that is sharp and painful.

• C. a life that is beautiful and flawed.

• D. a life that is clear and smooth.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.5A

CCSS.RL.7.4

How does the speaker describe her life in the first seven lines?

• She uses the metaphor of a beautiful and luxurious crystal staircase.

• She uses the metaphor of the staircase to describe a difficult life.

• She describes her life as flawless and without pain and wants her son's to be the same.

• She uses the metaphor of a spiral staircase to describe how confusing life can be.

Answer explanation

Reread the first 7 lines to see how the mother describes her lfie.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.5A

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.W.7.9A

What is the primary theme of the poem?

• The complexity of relationships

• The inevitability of failure

• The importance of perseverance

• The beauty of nature