Sweet, Difficult Sounds
Where was Nothukula born?
Michael Jordan plays many sports professionally. What sport does the article focus on?
basketball
True or False: Laura's team wins the scrimmage against the summer camp team.
False.
Complete this sentence: "Life for me ain't been no ______ _____."
crystal stair
True/False: Laura's dad helps her improve her passing skills.
To say something (usually a poem or part of a play) aloud from memory in front of an audience
to recite
To examine carefully or call out mistakes and errors
critique
In paragraph 50, how does the text describe Laura's feelings about soccer?
like a rollercoaster
Where did Langston Hughes spend most of his adult life?
What is the name of Nothukula's Aunt?
Auntie Thandie
What is the name of the student who was rude to Nothukula about her English?
To cause someone to feel great emotional pain
to devastate
In paragraph 97, how did Laura feel after they lost the game?
proud
What is the best THEME for this poem?
Believe in yourself, never give up; even when you're in the middle of life's ugliest and most difficult and moments.
What is Laura's brother's name?
Toni
To frighten or threaten someone so that they do not do something
intimidate
Fill in the missing adjective:
The pattern of defeat followed by success would follow Jordan to the University of North Carolina andlater to the NBA. His ________ drive would lead him to break numerous records and become the most decorated player.
Laura's attitude changes from the beginning of the story to the end. Which pair of words best matches her attitude change?
relaxed, motivated
defeated, motivated
melancholy, joyful
defeated, motivated
What is this metaphor referring to?
"It's had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor -
Bare."
Life in general for the mother.
Who said this?
"Hard, yes, but flexing a new muscle is also exhilarating, especially when you eventually succeed.
...it’s been fun. It’s been hard, but I’ve had fun doing it.”
Michael Jordan
What is the Resolution of the story?
Nothukula overcomes her failure by presenting the poem "Sympathy" again in class, and feels a new sense of pride and self-confidence at the end of the story.
Laura's attitude changes from the beginning of the story to the end. Which pair of words best matches her attitude change?
relaxed, motivated
defeated, motivated
melancholy, joyful
defeated, motivated
Finish the sentence: For every lock ...
There is a key.
What is the title of the poem?
Mother to Son
What is the name of the soccer team Laura's originally played for?
Los Halcones