Unit 2.1 Vocabulary
What does “deteriorate” mean?
a) To improve steadily
b) To become worse
c) To remain unchanged
d) To enhance in quality
b) To become worse
“Resonate” most closely means to:
a) Cause disinterest
b) Connect deeply
c) Confuse others
d) Oppose strongly
b) Connect deeply
“Assimilation” refers to:
a) Rejecting cultural norms
b) Celebrating cultural differences
c) Absorbing and integrating into a culture
d) Separating oneself from society
c) Absorbing and integrating into a culture
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore—
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over—
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
Which theme is most prominent in the poem?
a) The inevitability of failure
b) The consequences of unfulfilled aspirations
c) The joy of achieving dreams
d) The impact of time on relationships
b) The consequences of unfulfilled aspirations
Why does Hansberry choose to set the play in a single apartment?
a) To focus on the characters’ relationships
b) To emphasize their financial struggles
c) To reflect the confined nature of their dreams
d) All of the above
d) All of the above
“Weary” best describes someone who is:
a) Energetic and enthusiastic
b) Tired and lacking energy
c) Frustrated and annoyed
d) Confused and disoriented
b) Tired and lacking energy
“Succinct” communication is:
a) Long-winded and detailed
b) Full of emotion
c) Hard to understand
d) Clear and concise
d) Clear and concise
To “insinuate” something means to:
a) Clearly state it
b) Imply it indirectly
c) Deny it outright
d) Confirm it as true
b) Imply it indirectly
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore—
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over—
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
How does the poem suggest deferred dreams might affect individuals?
a) They cause people to dream bigger.
b) They fester and create tension.
c) They bring clarity and focus.
d) They have no lasting impact.
b) They fester and create tension.
What triggers the climax of the play?
a) Walter losing the insurance money
b) Mama purchasing the house
c) Beneatha cutting her hair
d) Ruth discovering her pregnancy
a) Walter losing the insurance money
What does “wary” mean?
a) Relaxed and calm
b) Friendly and welcoming
c) Distracted and inattentive
d) Alert and cautious
d) Alert and cautious
A “discrepancy” is a:
a) Strong agreement
b) Harmful consequence
c) A difference or inconsistency
d) Positive outcome
c) A difference or inconsistency
A “tentative” plan is one that:
a) Is subject to change
b) Is set in stone
c) Is impossible to achieve
d) Has been rejected
a) Is subject to change
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore—
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over—
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
What is the tone of the poem?
a) Optimistic and hopeful
b) Sarcastic and dismissive
c) Joyful and carefree
d) Reflective and somber
d) Reflective and somber
The theme of A Raisin in the Sun can best be summarized as:
a) The pursuit of individual goals at the expense of family unity
b) The resilience required to achieve dreams despite societal obstacles
c) The inevitability of failure in a discriminatory society
d) The generational divide between parents and children
b) The resilience required to achieve dreams despite societal obstacles
What does “accumulation” mean?
a) A gradual build-up
b) A sudden decrease
c) A removal or subtraction
d) A redistribution
a) A gradual build-up
“Feasible” is the opposite of:
a) Achievable
b) Impossible
c) Reliable
d) Predictable
b) Impossible
“Haphazard” actions are:
a) Planned and methodical
b) Carefully thought out
c) Random and unorganized
d) Consistently successful
c) Random and unorganized
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore—
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over—
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
What does the imagery of “syrupy sweet” most likely convey?
a) The simplicity of life’s pleasures
b) The sweetness of achieving one’s goals
c) The stickiness and unpleasantness of deferred dreams
d) The indifference of time passing
c) The stickiness and unpleasantness of deferred dreams
What tone is established in Walter’s initial conversations about his liquor store dream?
a) Hopeful and determined
b) Optimistic and naïve
c) Resentful and critical
d) Desperate and frustrated
d) Desperate and frustrated
If someone values “autonomy,” they prefer:
a) Frequent criticism
b) Close supervision
c) Constant assistance
d) Independence
d) Independence
Which of the following scenarios best demonstrates a “facetious” attitude?
a) A student jokingly asks if they can skip exams because they “already know everything.”
b) A teacher provides a thorough and serious explanation of the test material.
c) A coach sternly reminds the team about the importance of hard work.
d) A friend sincerely congratulates someone on their success.
a) A student jokingly asks if they can skip exams because they “already know everything.”
Which pair of terms have similar meanings?
a) Weary and wary
b) Tentative and defiance
c) Redundant and gall
d) Deteriorate and exacerbate
d) Deteriorate and exacerbate
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore—
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over—
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
What effect does the repetition of the word “deferred” have on the poem’s tone?
a) It emphasizes the urgency of the issue.
b) It creates a rhythmic, musical quality.
c) It downplays the seriousness of the topic.
d) It makes the poem feel more conversational.
a) It emphasizes the urgency of the issue.
How does Lorraine Hansberry use Beneatha’s interactions with Asagai and George to explore the theme of identity and assimilation?
a) By contrasting Asagai’s embrace of African heritage with George’s dismissal of it, Hansberry highlights Beneatha’s struggle to define herself.
b) By showing both men agreeing on Beneatha’s ambitions, Hansberry underscores the importance of unity over personal identity.
c) By depicting Asagai and George as indifferent to cultural identity, Hansberry emphasizes Beneatha’s independence.
d) By portraying Beneatha as submissive in these relationships, Hansberry critiques the limitations placed on women.
a) By contrasting Asagai’s embrace of African heritage with George’s dismissal of it, Hansberry highlights Beneatha’s struggle to define herself.