"Polly Sits Tight"
What inference can the reader make about Polly in paragraph 5 of the text?
a. Polly feels as though exposing her shoes would lose the pride her classmates had in her.
b. Polly thinks that her classmates may worry about the painful shoes she has worn to class that day.
c. Polly was concerned that her grades might begin to fail if she decided not to go to the board to demonstrate the solution.
d. Polly was nervous about possibly being embarrassed if the solution she wrote on the board was incorrect in front of her peers.
a. Polly feels as though exposing her shoes would lose the pride her classmates had in her.
How does the speaker use figurative language to describe his offering? (RL 8.4)
A. The author uses figurative language to compare his poem to the physical things one needs to survive.
B. The author uses figurative language to personify the natural characteristics of love.
C. The author uses figurative language to contrast what is wanted and what is needed.
D. The author uses figurative language to symbolize what he actually has to offer.
A. The author uses figurative language to compare his poem to the physical things one needs to survive.
Which word could replace prone as it is used in line 20 while maintaining a similar connotation? (L.8.5)
A. unwilling
B. devoted
C. exposed
D. liable
D. liable
Which sentence states the theme of the poem? (RL.8.2)
A. Parents view their responsibilities to their children as hard work.
B. Parents feel unappreciated by children throughout most of their lives.
C. Children are too selfish to appreciate the work their parents do for them.
D. Children may realize later in life how much their parents have done to support them.
D. Children may realize later in life how much their parents have done to support them.
What is the meaning of integrity as it is used in paragraph 4?
A. honor
B. intelligence
C. kindness
D. Strength
A. honor
Which quotation from the passage supports the inference that Polly’s peers respect her for her intelligence and bravery rather than her outward appearance? (RL 8.1)
a. “So now that the question had been asked for the third time and Polly’s hand had not been raised, all the boys and girls turned to look at her in genuine surprise.” (paragraph 2)
b. “She dropped her eyes to her desk and her glance fell on her paper covered books marked after the manner of school girls and boys.” (paragraph 6)
c. “The tension in the room was broken.” (paragraph 10)
d. “And not one person saw her shoes!” (paragraph 11)
d. “And not one person saw her shoes!” (paragraph 11)
Based on lines 24-30, what can the reader infer about the narrator? (RL.8.1)
A. His love was rejected by the one he most adored.
B. He is most concerned about the reader’s physical comforts.
C. He is grieving his poverty and inability to give the reader fine gifts.
D. He feels that poetry is the greatest gift he can offer to the one he loves.
D. He feels that poetry is the greatest gift he can offer to the one he loves.
How does the author’s inclusion of the poem in lines 32-35 contribute to the development of the theme? (RL.8.5)
A. The poem represents the mutual understanding that both the speaker and the mother have finally achieved.
B. The poem represents the adverse relationship between the mother and the speaker, and how they have become distant throughout the years.
C. The poem represents a shift in the speaker’s perspective, and it serves to highlight how the view of her mother has drastically changed.
D. The poem represents the traditions that have been passed down from the mother to the speaker and now are being passed from the speaker to her son.
C. The poem represents a shift in the speaker’s perspective, and it serves to highlight how the view of her mother has drastically changed.
Which quotation from the poem provides context for the meaning of the word unspooled as it is used in the poem? (L.8.4)
A. “When the doctor suggested surgery”
B. “my parents scrambled to take me/to massage therapy, deep tissue work,/osteopathy”
C. “I could breathe again”
D. “…My mom would tell me to sing”
C. “I could breathe again”
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Points Given
What is the meaning of the word lilting as it is used in the paragraph 1? (L8.4)
A. Bitter
B. Chirping
C. Deafening
D. Pleasing
D. Pleasing
How does the author develop his point of view about poetry to inspire the reader? (RL.8.6)
A. by reminding the reader of the shortness of life
B. by comparing poetry to items which provide comfort
C. by offering to perform acts of kindness for the reader
D. by repeating the phrase, “I love you,” throughout the poem
B. by comparing poetry to items which provide comfort
Which sentence states a theme of the poem? (RL.8.2)
A. As children grow up, their views of their mothers evolve and change.
B. The most important lessons that children can learn come from mothers.
C. As children grow up they will, without a doubt, grow apart from their mothers.
D. Children only come to truly understand their mothers when they become parents themselves.
A. As children grow up, their views of their mothers evolve and change.
How does the speaker’s use of the raincoat impact the meaning of the poem? (RL.8.4)
A. The speaker illustrates the importance of staying dry in the rain and cherishing the sacrifices made by individuals.
B. The speaker illustrates the importance of maintaining close bonds with your family and never forget about your humble beginnings.
C. The speaker illustrates the importance of cherishing a parent and trying to appease them in difficult situations.
D. The speaker illustrates the hardships parents endure for their children and how children still maintain their innocence.
D. The speaker illustrates the hardships parents endure for their children and how children still maintain their innocence.
In paragraph 2, what does the phrase “summered him and wintered him” mean?
A. Squire Lee is hopeful that Bobby will succeed.
B. Squire Lee has lent Bobby money many times.
C. Squire Lee and Bobby have been friends for many years.
D. Squire Lee has invested time and energy in Bobby.
D. Squire Lee has invested time and energy in Bobby.
Which of the following best identifies a theme of the text? (RL.8.2)
A. Children who are poor tend to work harder to succeed in school than their peers.
B. People can stop their own progress because of their fear of public opinion.
C. Parents are responsible for shaping the way their children react to danger.
D. Stress causes people to hide their talents for fear of failure.
B. People can stop their own progress because of their fear of public opinion.
Which of the following statements describes a theme of the poem? (RL 8.2)
A. Sometimes other expect more than love can provide.
B. People need love to provide physical shelter in harsh times.
C. Love, not material gifts, are all that one really needs in life.
D. Material gifts are worthless expressions of greed and shallowness.
C. Love, not material gifts, are all that one really needs in life.
Daily Double
Read the following lines.
“just to say we must learn/to bear the pleasures/as we have borne the pains”
What do the lines reveal about the speaker? (RL.8.3)
A. The speaker has become familiar with the expectations of her mother, and she wants her son to learn.
B. The speaker has reached a new level of understanding towards her mother, but her son does not appreciate the lessons being imposed.
C. The speaker does not appreciate the teachings of her mother, but her son has adopted a more caring nature.
D The speaker has realized the nuances of her mother, and she is imparting her wisdom on her son.
D The speaker has realized the nuances of her mother, and she is imparting her wisdom on her son.
What do lines 8-13 reveal about the mother? (RL.8.3)
A. She wants the best for her daughter, so she her daughter will keep singing and become famous.
B. She is concerned about her daughter, but she wants her daughter to employ every possible remedy to overcome her ailment.
C. She is flustered, and she wants her daughter to stay busy while they are travelling up the road.
D. She is focused on her daughter recovering, and she wants her daughter to remain positive in lieu of her pessimistic outlook.
B. She is concerned about her daughter, but she wants her daughter to employ every possible remedy to overcome her ailment.
What is a theme of the passage?
A. It is wise to accept help from others when it is offered.
B. Taking risks in life presents the possibilities for great rewards.
C. Parents should encourage their children to embrace difficult challenges.
D. Life presents unexpected challenges for which people cannot prepare.
B. Taking risks in life presents the possibilities for great rewards.
Daily Double
How does the phrase “Sit tight, little girl, sit tight!” impact the meaning of the passage? (RL8.4)
A. The phrase provides an analogy to convince her only her father could save her.
B. The phrase provides a description of the relationship she had with her father.
C. The phrase provides an anecdote to a previous experience as a reminder to be brave.
D. The phrase provides an explanation of why she was fearful for approaching the board.
C. The phrase provides an anecdote to a previous experience as a reminder to be brave.
How does the phrase “and all anyone needs to live” in line 25 help convey the meaning of the poem? (L.8.5a)
A. It conveys the harshness of the outside world and how it threatens the reader’s survival.
B. It describes his efforts to give all of his material possessions to the reader.
C. It explains how his love is all that the reader needs to live a fulfilled life.
D. It highlights the importance of proper clothing and shelter for survival.
C. It explains how his love is all that the reader needs to live a fulfilled life.
Which lines do the picture help the reader better understand? (RL.8.7)
A. “the last time i was home”
B. “mommy always sat in the dark”
C. “i remember the first/i consciously saw her”
D. “i remember thinking: what a beautiful lady”
C. “i remember the first/i consciously saw her”
How does the speaker’s use of the phrase “My god” in line 22 contribute to the passage? (RL.8.4)
A. It reveals a moment of bewilderment by the speaker at the actions of her mother.
B. It reveals a moment of astonishment by the speaker at the actions of her mother.
C. It reveals a moment of frustration by the speaker at the actions of her mother.
D. It reveals a moment of indifference by the speaker at the actions of her mother.
B. It reveals a moment of astonishment by the speaker at the actions of her mother.
Select two quotations from the passage that support the conclusion that Bobby will achieve success in the future.
A. “He had taken a great fancy to Bobby, and often employed him to do errands, ride the horse to plough in the cornfields, and such chores about the place as a boy could do.” (paragraph 1)
B. “But he had full faith in his ability to work out a useful and profitable, if not a brilliant, life.” (paragraph 3)
C. “Bobby was overjoyed at the fortunate issue of his mission, and he walked into the room where his mother was closing shoes, with a dignity worthy a banker or a great merchant.” (paragraph 5)
D. “‘You are a courageous fellow! Who would have thought of such a thing?’” (paragraph 11)
E. “She was conscious of Bobby’s talents; she knew that he had a strong mind of his own, and could take care of himself.” (paragraph 21)
B. “But he had full faith in his ability to work out a useful and profitable, if not a brilliant, life.” (paragraph 3)
E. “She was conscious of Bobby’s talents; she knew that he had a strong mind of his own, and could take care of himself.” (paragraph 21)