Poetry
In songs and poetry, the primary function of repetition is
A.) to emphasize on the important ideas.
B.) to give the piece a purpose.
C.) to provide more specific details.
D.) to follow a specific pattern.
A.) to emphasize on the important ideas.
The idea that the voice in “Twelfth Song of Thunder” seems to be all around suggests that the Navajo
A.) feel a connection to the entire natural world.
B.) have the ability to communicate with grasshoppers and other animals.
C.) have too many puddles of rainwater on their land.
D.) are unappreciative of the connection between all living things.
A.) feel a connection to the entire natural world.
Which quote from Dragonwings by Laurence Yep best shows that the man is pleasantly surprised by Father’s refusal to take the tip?
A.) “The demon stopped and studied Father as you might look at a dog that had suddenly said he was going to the opera. ‘Well, I'll be damned,’ he said.”
B.) “‘Here, John.’ The demon unbuttoned his coat and reached into his pants pocket, but Father shook his head.”
C.) “Skeptically, the demon got back behind the wheel while Father went to the front near the crank to start the motor.”
D.) “He had hardly heard the demon until the demon tapped him on the shoulder. ‘You sabe me? Garage. Repair my Oldsmobile.’”
A.) “The demon stopped and studied Father as you might look at a dog that had suddenly said he was going to the opera. ‘Well, I'll be damned,’ he said.”
Read the excerpt from "My Lord Bag of Rice."
He had only gone a few steps when he heard some one calling him from behind. On turning back he was much surprised to see that the monster dragon had entirely disappeared and in its place was a strange-looking man, who was bowing most ceremoniously to the ground. His red hair streamed over his shoulders and was surmounted by a crown in the shape of a dragon's head, and his sea-green dress was patterned with shells. Hidesato knew at once that this was no ordinary mortal and he wondered much at the strange occurrence.
What element of a folktale does this excerpt contain?
A.) a description of everyday life
B.) a character who plays a trick
C.) a lesson about human behavior
D.) a detail about how a tradition began
B.) a character who plays a trick
Read the stanza from “Twelfth Song of Thunder.”
The voice that beautifies the land!
The voice below;
The voice of the grasshopper
Among the plants
Again and again it sounds,
The voice that beautifies the land.
Which phrase creates rhythm in the song?
A.) The voice that beautifies . . .
B.) . . . of the grasshopper
C.) Among the plants
D.) . . . it sounds
A.) The voice that beautifies . . .
The idea that both the thunder above and the grasshopper below beautify the land in “Twelfth Song of Thunder” suggests that the Navajo
A.) appreciate the connection between all living things.
B.) feel separated from all the creatures of the world.
C.) think the thunder is more important than the grasshopper.
D.) live in the dry deserts where there is no thunder or insects.
A.) appreciate the connection between all living things.
Which quote from Dragonwings by Laurence Yep best shows that the owner of the broken down car would probably welcome Father's help in the future?
A.) “Many demons called Tang men John because, they insisted, they never could get the hang of our real names.”
B.) “He had hardly heard the demon until the demon tapped him on the shoulder. ‘You sabe me? Garage. Repair my Oldsmobile.’”
C.) “The demon stopped and studied Father as you might look at a dog that had suddenly said he was going to the opera.”
D.) He reached into a pocket of his waistcoat and took out a card, and handed it to Father with a flourish.
D.) He reached into a pocket of his waistcoat and took out a card, and handed it to Father with a flourish.
Read the excerpt from "My Lord Bag of Rice.”
The Dragon King and his family were all very sorry to have him leave so soon, but since he would go they begged him to accept a few small presents (so they said) in token of their gratitude to him for delivering them forever from their horrible enemy the centipede.
Which characteristic of a folktale is contained in this excerpt?
A.) a lesson about human behavior.
B.) a scene from everyday life.
C.) a character playing a trick.
D.) a conflict being resolved.
A.) a lesson about human behavior.
What element is the focus of the song “Twelfth Song of Thunder”?
A.) the thunder
B.) the grasshopper
C.) the land
D.) the voice
D.) the voice
Based on the song, “Twelfth Song of Thunder,” the Navajo culture most likely believes that
A.) nature is a dangerous enemy.
B.) life in the city is better.
C.) beauty comes from nature.
D.) all living things are disconnected.
C.) beauty comes from nature.
Read the following passage from Dragonwings by Laurence Yep.
"Know where there's a garage?" the demon finally asked.
Father only grunted. His eyes were shining. He had hardly heard the demon until the demon tapped him on the shoulder. "You sabe me? Garage. Repair my Oldsmobile." As happens sometimes between two people speaking different languages, the demon had begun to shout at Father as if Father were deaf and the demon could make his words better understood by being loud.
Based on the man’s words in this passage, the reader can conclude that
A.) he lacks confidence in Father’s ability to fix the horseless carriage.
B.) he has had a lot of interactions with other Chinese immigrants.
C.) he is a cruel and heartless man who cares only about himself.
D.) he is eager to give Father a job working in his real estate office.
A.) he lacks confidence in Father’s ability to fix the horseless carriage.
Read the excerpt from "My Lord Bag of Rice.”
Hidesato felt very sorry for the Dragon King on hearing his story, and readily promised to do what he could to help him. The warrior asked where the centipede lived, so that he might attack the creature at once.
What lesson does this excerpt reflect?
A.) Helping others is always worth the risk.
B.) It is important to be generous with others.
C.) A person with enemies should not be trusted.
D.) Some people cannot help themselves.
B.) It is important to be generous with others.
According to the observations that Washington Matthews made of Navajo songs, which of the following reasons is most likely the purpose of “Twelfth Song of Thunder”?
A.) to ask the gods for wealth and material items
B.) to heal the sick people within the community
C.) to welcome visitors and travelers
D.) to ask for a gift, such as rain, from nature
D.) to ask for a gift, such as rain, from nature
Based on the content of “Twelfth Song of Thunder,” what is important to the Navajo people?
A.) respect for nature
B.) love of all people
C.) appreciation of life
D.) caring for the sick
A.) respect for nature
Read this passage from Dragonwings by Laurence Yep.
Only once during all those trips did we have any trouble. Some demon boys were out in the street. They stooped as if to pick up things to throw, and Father whispered to me to sit up straight and not show I was afraid. The demon boys called out some things, but we ignored them until we had passed them by. A rock whizzed by my ear and hit Red Rabbit in the side. He snorted, but plodded on as steadily as before.
Based on the actions in this passage, what inference can be made about the narrator’s father?
A.) He is too afraid to stand up to the “demon” boys.
B.) He is strong and confident even in times of trouble.
C.) He is unaware of the trouble caused by the boys.
D.) He is more concerned about looking brave than being safe.
B.) He is strong and confident even in times of trouble.
Read the excerpt from “My Lord Bag of Rice.”
Another feast was prepared, more sumptuous than the first. All kinds of fish, prepared in every imaginable way, raw, stewed, boiled and roasted, served on coral trays and crystal dishes, were put before him, and the wine was the best that Hidesato had ever tasted in his life.
Which element of heritage is preserved by this excerpt?
A.) details about a traditional food
B.) details about a real person
C.) details about a historical event
D.) details about a religious ceremony
A.) details about a traditional food
Read the following stanza from “Twelfth Song of Thunder.”
The voice that beautifies the land!
The voice above,
The voice of the thunder
Within the dark cloud
Again and again it sounds,
The voice that beautifies the land.
Which choice supports the idea that the song is a chant?
A.) the images of nature and the land as the Navajo people of the time would have seen it
B.) the element of thunder that echoes throughout the entire stanza of this song
C.) the repetition of the word “voice” and the line “The voice that beautifies the land”
D.) the use of the words “voice” and “sounds” that are supposed to remind the audience of chanting
C.) the repetition of the word “voice” and the line “The voice that beautifies the land”
Read the stanza from “Twelfth Song of Thunder.”
The voice that beautifies the land!
The voice below;
The voice of the grasshopper
Among the plants
Again and again it sounds,
The voice that beautifies the land.
Based on the content of this stanza, what do the Navajo people believe?
A.) that grasshoppers only live on the ground below
B.) that plants and grasshoppers are the most beautiful parts of nature
C.) that the beauty of nature resides even in the most unlikely places
D.) that beauty can only be heard in the elements of nature
C.) that the beauty of nature resides even in the most unlikely places
Read this passage from Dragonwings by Laurence Yep.
"Some," Father said. Truth to tell, he had never handled a horseless carriage in his life, though he had a book on them and cut out articles whenever they appeared in the demon magazines and newspapers. That was the extent of Father's knowledge. But to know facts is nothing. He had an intuitive feeling for what made the horseless carriages tick. He looked around inside the engine for about ten minutes and then wiped his face absentmindedly, so that the grease stained his cheek. He did not even notice.
A.) What is the best inference about Father, based on his actions in the passage?
B.) Father’s response to the man shows he is unaware and weak.
C.) Father’s response to the man shows he is helpful and confident.
D.) Father’s response to the man shows he is unhappy and resentful.
Father’s response to the man shows he is honest and educated.
B.) Father’s response to the man shows he is unaware and weak.
Which excerpt from “My Lord Bag of Rice” best reflects the historical fact that Hidesato was a brave warrior?
A.) At first Hidesato could not help feeling alarmed at the sight of this horrible reptile lying in his path.
B.) On turning back he was much surprised to see that the monster dragon had entirely disappeared.
C.) Hidesato showed not the least sign of fear. He tried to calm the Dragon King. “Don't be afraid. I shall surely kill the centipede.”
D.) The Dragon King did as he was bid, and the warrior noticed that he had only three arrows left in his quiver.
C.) Hidesato showed not the least sign of fear. He tried to calm the Dragon King. “Don't be afraid. I shall surely kill the centipede.”