Unit 1: "A Voice" and "Words Like Freedom"

Front

Based on lines 6-16 of "A Voice", what can the reader infer about the person referred to as you? Not you. In your house that smelled like rose powder, you spoke Spanish formal as your father, the judge without a courtroom in the country he floated to in the dark on a flatbed truck. He walked slow as a hot river down the narrow hall of your house. You never dared to race past him, to say, “Please move,” in the language you learned effortlessly, as you learned to run, the language forbidden at home, though your mother said you learned it to fight with the neighbors.

Back

She feels serious and respectful around her father.

Front

What does the simile in line 23 of “A Voice” help the reader understand? The family story says your voice is the voice of an aunt in Mexico, spunky as a peacock.

Back

The mother and the aunt are gutsy.

Front

What does the poet’s use of figurative language in lines 30-33 of “A Voice" help the reader understand about the speaker’s mother? Their eyes were pinpricks, and you faked hoarseness. You, who are never at a loss for words, felt your breath stick in your throat like an ice-cube. “I can’t,” you whispered.

Back

she's nervous

Front

What is the most likely purpose of the personification in line 3 of “Words Like Freedom”? On my heartstrings freedom sings

Back

To express the speaker’s feelings.

Front

What tone can be inferred in lines 5-8 of “Words Like Freedom”? There are words like Liberty That almost make me cry. If you had known what I know You would know why.

Back

sorrowful

Front

With which of the following would the speaker in "Words Like Freedom" likely agree? People like to study., We don't need to fight for liberty., The struggle for equality is worth the price., Liberty is no longer important.

Back

The struggle for equality is worth the price.

Front

Which emotion is expressed in both poems? Options: fear, pride, anger, joy

Back

pride

Front

On my heartstrings, freedom sings This is an example of... Options: personification, verb, simile, rhyme

Back

personification

Front

Who is the author of "Words Like Freedom?"

Back

Langston Hughes

Front

"A Voice" and "Words Like Freedom" are...

Back

poems