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"A Voice" Literary Elements
"A Voice" Vocabulary
Figurative Language
Obama Speech
POV and Purpose
"Obama Speech"
100
How does the line, "Your breath moves through the family like the wind moves through the trees," shape the poem?
What is the poets mother is a key role in the family, as she encouraged and "taught the four of us to speak up"
100
Read the excerpt, "You liked winning with words. You liked writing speeches about patriotism and democracy." What does patriotism mean in this context?
What is love for ones country.
100
A simile found in the poem
What is "spunky as a peacock" "lights on the stage unrelenting as the desert sun" "slow as a hot river" "throat like an ice cube" "breath moves through the wind like the wind moves through the trees"
100
What does Barack Obama want his listeners to understand? a. that there are problems b. that he has solutions to problems c. that it is time to vote d. that workers are good
What is b. that he has solutions to problems
100
What is the purpose of Obama's speech? a. inform b. persuade c. entertain d. demand
What is b. persuade
200
According to the narrator's point of view, how did she describe the mother? a. encouraging b. strict c. a judge d. confused
What is a. encouraging
200
Read the excerpt, "Even the lights on the stage unrelenting as the desert sun couldn't hide the other students" What does unrelenting mean in this context?
What is steady and persistent; continuing on without stopping
200
Explain the metaphor, "the judge without a courtroom" found in the poem.
What is the father is strict and judgmental
200
What is the idea he explains in the last paragraph? a. that Joe Biden is a good candidate b. that he and Joe Biden want workers to have a better chance c. that the US is an old nation d. that the middle class is important
What is b. that he and Joe Biden want workers to have a better chance
200
Which sentence in the speech BEST describes the central idea? a. Ive spent my entire career fighting for working men and women b. And, that hardworking families need immediate relief c. America was built by its laborers, but today our workers are struggling just to get by d. This Labor Day weekend, we don't just celebrate the end of summer.
What is c. America was built by its laborers, but today our workers are struggling just to get by
300
Reread the lines 37-39 of "A Voice". Describe the poet's tone.
What is sympathetic or caring
300
Read the excerpt, "The family story says your voice is the voice of an aunt in Mexico, spunky as a peacock" What does spunky mean in this context?
What is spirited; having energy and courage
300
What type of figurative language is the following sentence, "Family stories sing of what lives in the blood."
What is personification
300
Why does Barack Obama say he will make a tax cut? a. it will be good for the middle class b. it will be a good change in how things are c. it will give people money they need d it will be good for oil companies
What is c. it will give people money they need
300
Which of the following men was the opposing candidate of Barack Obama? a. Joe Biden b. Barack Obama c. Senator McCain d. George Bush
Who is c. Senator McCain
400
What is the theme of "A Voice"?
What is sometimes you have to break out of your comfort zone in order and take a stand for what you believe
400
Read the excerpt, "This is America,Mom. The undo-able is done in the next generation." What does generation mean in this context?
What is people of the same ancestors (cousins, parents, children, grandchildren etc.
400
Explain how the simile in lines 22-23 shows the connection the mother has to her family.
What is the author connects to her family in Mexico, that share similar qualities as she does?
400
What is Barack Obama's view of what the President should do? a. win the election b. organize workers c. make sure people have a better life d. stay on the path
What is c. make sure people have a better life
400
What is Obama's tone? Cite evidence to support
What is hopeful.
500
How does the point of view shape how the story is told?
What is the author is speaking to her mother about growing up as an immigrant in America, and thanking her mother for her guidance and strength
500
Read the excerpt, "Their eyes were pinpricks, and you faked hoarseness." What does pinpricks mean in this context?
What is small wounds or punctures made by or as if by a pin
500
Review lines 6-14 of "A Voice: in which the speaker describes her grandfather. What is the simile in these lines? What inference can you make about the relationships speaker and father?
What is "Slow as a hot river". It shows the speaker and father have a rocky relationship. The speaker felt stifled because she could not run the halls freely or speak in English.
500
According to the speech, what is a union?
What is a group that organizes workers