History Lesson

The poem reflects history by using imagery that contrasts life in Mississippi before and after — (2C)

• A a hurricane

• B the Great Depression

• C desegregation

• D summer

In lines 7 and 8, the poet uses a simile that has the ironic effect of making the minnows seem — (E3FIg19B)

• F curious

• G threatening

• H beautiful

• J humorous

Which of these best states the poem’s theme? (E2Fig19B)

• A Although children may disagree with their elders, family bonds remain strong.

• B Sentiment is a waste of time and energy.

• C Progress can be judged only by an impartial observer.

• D Even in the midst of historic change, some things remain constant.

Read these lines from the poem.

I am four in this photograph, standing on a wide strip of Mississippi beach, my hands on the flowered hips

of a bright bikini. . . .

In these lines, the poet’s tone can best be described as — (E3Fig19B)

• F nostalgic

• G strident

• H apologetic

• J reverent

In lines 14 and 15, the “narrow plot/of sand” can be best interpreted as symbolic of —(7Fig19B)

• A the speaker’s lack of empathy for her grandmother’s situation

• B the grandmother’s restricted opportunities

• C the grandmother’s limited perspective

• D the speaker’s refusal to be bound to the past

In line 12, the reader can infer that the speaker uses the pronoun “us” to refer to — (E3Fig19B)

• F African Americans

• G the general public

• H her extended family

• J young women