Mother to Son
The author says that "Life for me ain't been no crystal stair." Used in this poem, what does "crystal" mean?
a. transparent and slipper
b. beautiful and dangerous
c. rough and difficult
d. clear and smooth
What is D - clear and smooth
The speaker in "Dear Mama" can be described as...
a. A mother who loves her son
b. A son reflecting on his life and showing appreciation for his mother
c. A kid growing up in a rough community
d. A daughter who loves her mom
b. A son reflecting on his life and showing appreciation for his mother
"Dear Mama" and "Mother to Son" share which of the following themes?
A. Children who honor their parents will experience success
B. A woman's strength is a powerful force
C. People get out of life what they put into it
D. Perseverance is not always worth it
B. A woman's strength is a powerful force
In the poem, whom is the speaker addressing and about what?
a. A mother is telling a story to her child about her own childhood.
b. A mother is speaking to her son about climbing a crystal staircase.
c. A son is recounting a conversation his mother had with him about the general struggle towards earning a comfortable living.
d. A mother is warning her son about the difficulties of life and the struggle to persevere.
d. A mother is warning her son about the difficulties of life and the struggle to persevere.
Which is the best line from the text supporting the poem’s theme?
A. So boy, don’t you turn back. By saying not to turn back, the mother is telling her son not to give up.
B. And sometime goin’ in the dark Where there ain’t been no light. Expressing that life gets dark, the mother is saying that life is hard sometimes.
C. Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair. In sharing that life has not been a crystal stair, the mother is saying that her own life has not been easy.
D. And places with no carpet on the floor. By referring to bare floor, the mother is saying that sometimes you do not have support.
A. So boy, don’t you turn back. By saying not to turn back, the mother is telling her son not to give up.
The author’s tone in “Dear Mama” can be described as..
a. Appreciative
b. Prosperous
c. Condescending
d. Disrespectful
a. Appreciative
Compare Tupac’s mom from “Dear Mama” to the mother in Langston Hughes’ poem, “Mother to Son”. What is similar about the two mothers?
A. Both mothers have a hard time caring and providing for their children
B. Both mothers are in difficult situations
C. Both mothers want to be successful in their jobs
D. Both mothers experience hardships or difficulties in their lives but they continually persevere.
D. Both mothers experience hardships or difficulties in their lives but they continually persevere.
What is the central metaphor utilized in the poem?
A. The narrator describes a tiring climb up a beat-up staircase, which represents her persisting through difficulties and struggles in life.
B. The narrator compares a crystal staircase to her own life, symbolic of her own goals and the struggle toward them.
C. The narrator describes her climb up a dirty staircase which transforms into a crystal stair, which represents her ability to rise above difficulties.
D. The narrator describes herself going down a decrepit staircase, a figurative depiction of her continued problems.
A. The narrator describes a tiring climb up a beat-up staircase, which represents her persisting through difficulties and struggles in life.
How does the author's use of metaphor impact the reader's understanding of the poem?
a. The metaphor of the staircase conveys to the reader that the speaker doesn't have carpet on the floor
b. The metaphor of the staircase conveys to the reader that life is an easy climb
c. The metaphor of the staircase conveys to the reader that life isn't always easy
d. The metaphor of the staircase conveys to the reader that the author steps on a tack
c. The metaphor of the staircase conveys to the reader that life isn't always easy
Which lines from the poem can help you understand the relationship between the speaker and his father?
A. "A poor single mother on welfare, tell me how you did it
There's no way I can pay you back, but the plan
Is to show you that I understand; you are appreciated"
B. "When I was young, me and my mama had beef
Seventeen years old, kicked out on the streets"
C. "No love from my daddy cause the coward wasn't there
He passed away and I didn't cry, cause my anger
Wouldn't let me feel for a stranger"
D. “There are no words that can express how I feel
You never kept a secret, always stayed real
And I appreciate how you raised me
And all the extra love that you gave me”
C. "No love from my daddy cause the coward wasn't there
He passed away and I didn't cry, cause my anger
Wouldn't let me feel for a stranger"
How is the point of view in “Mother to Son” different from “Dear Mama?”
A. The point of view in “Mother to Son” is a metaphorical lesson while “Dear Mama” is a reflection on the sacrifices a mother made for her children
B. The point of view in “Mother to Son” is a harsh review of a difficult situation while “Dear Mama” is a positive recount of a mother’s struggle
C. The point of view in “Mother to Son” is a reflection on the sacrifices a mother made for her children while “Dear Mama” is a metaphorical lesson.
D. The poems had the same point of view
A. The point of view in “Mother to Son” is a metaphorical lesson while “Dear Mama” is a reflection on the sacrifices a mother made for her children
Which of the following statements best describes a major theme of the poem?
A. Never forget your family.
B. Persevere when life isn't easy.
C. Hope is the answer to all challenges.
D. Respect your elders.
B. Persevere when life isn't easy.