Translating Grandfather's House

Translating Grandfather's House

Multiple Choice

In the poem, "Translating Grandfather's House", what is the subject of the poem?

• good grades

• the student/grandchild

• grandfather's house

• the teacher

Multiple Choice

Why does the speaker in "Translating Grandfather's House" draw a second picture?

• The first one made him sad.

• The teacher thinks it's not real.

• He can't remember enough details.

• His creativity was stiffened with the first picture.

Multiple Choice

What statement best communicates the theme of "Translating Grandfather's House?

• Sometimes you have to conform to what is expected of you.

• Always respect your elders.

• Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

• It is important to try your best in school.

Multiple Choice

Read the passage from "Translating Grandfather's House" below:

The teacher says

the house is from

Some Zorro

Movie I've seen.

"As my mom," I protest.

"She was born there---

Right there on the second floor!"

Crossing her arms she moves on.

How does this passage help tell/propel the story?

• It wraps up the plot.

• It reveals the conflict.

• It solves the problem.

• It establishes the setting.

Multiple Choice

Which detail from "Translating Grandfather's House" most clearly show the speakers memories are real?

• Memories once certain as rivets / Become confused…. (lines 17–18)

• With wild grass / rising from sidewalk cracks like widows (lines 28–29)

• Beaming, the teacher scrawls / an A+ in the corner…. (lines 31–32)

• he roof Oscar Jartín / Tumbled from one hot Tuesday…. (lines 22–23)

Multiple Choice

Why is it appropriate to refer to “Translating Grandfather’s House” as a narrative poem?

• It has a plot and other traditional story elements.

• Its language sounds musical at times.

• Its main character is similar to the reader.

• It has a realistic setting.

Multiple Choice

The etymology of scrawl may come from the Middle English word scrawlen, meaning “spread out one’s arms and legs.” Based on that information, choose the most likely meaning of this comment in “Translating Grandfather’s House.”

• The teacher is happy to give the speaker the highest grade

• The teacher is careless and sloppy in writing the grade.

• The teacher thinks carefully before writing the grade.

• The teacher stands stiffly as she writes the grade.

Multiple Choice

What is the over arching conflict in "Translating Grandfather's House"?

• Character vs. Self

• Character vs. Supernatural

• Character vs. Society

• Character vs. Nature

Multiple Choice

In “Translating Grandfather’s House,” the speaker says that his teacher takes his second drawing “and tapes it / To the green blackboard. / To the green blackboard.” Notice that the author makes the choice to describe the blackboard as green. What does choosing and repeating the word green most likely indicate about the speaker’s situation?

• Like a green blackboard, the art assignment requires the creative use of color.

• Like a green blackboard, his teacher wants her students to use their imagination.

• Like a green blackboard, the creation of the drawing is part of his school activity.

• Like a green blackboard, his teacher's reaction does not make sense to the speaker.