Gate A-4 (CommonLit)

Which statement expresses the theme of the poem?

• People are often afraid of people they can’t find something in common with.

• Sharing a frightening experience has the ability to bring people together.

• It’s important to treat every person as a friend, even if they have treated you poorly.

• Shared experiences can help people see beyond their differences and come together.

Which TWO details from the poem best support the answer to Question 1?

• “‘Talk to her. What is her problem? We / told her the flight was going to be late and she did this.’” (Lines 8-9)

• “She was laughing a lot by then. Telling of her life, patting my knee, / answering questions.” (Lines 24-25)

• “She was laughing a lot by then. Telling of her life, patting my knee, / answering questions.” (Lines 24-25)

• “Such an old country tradi- / tion. Always carry a plant. Always stay rooted to somewhere.” (Lines 36-37)

• “Such an old country tradi- / tion. Always carry a plant. Always stay rooted to somewhere.” (Lines 36-37)

How do stanzas 1-2 contribute to the development of ideas in the poem?

• They suggest that the speaker thinks that speaking Arabic means that others might fear them.

• They reveal that the speaker is initially unwilling to help a stranger in need.

• They prove that the speaker cares more for others than their own well-being.

• They show that the speaker has a tendency to be suspicious of others.

How does the speaker’s observation of what takes place at the airport gate affect them?

• It makes them sad that people automatically pass judgement on others.

• It gives them hope that this form of acceptance is still present in the world.

• It brings them relief to know that not all people are as cruel as they seem.

• It makes them long for a time when people weren’t nervous to fly.

What does the word apprehensive mean as it is used in line 40?

• pleased

• inspired

• nervous

• melancholy

In the poem, the mood changes from –

• anxious to communal

• depressed to anger

• happiness to frustration

• eager to disgust

Based on the last line, the reader can conclude that -

• the speaker was deeply upset by the 4-hour delay in her flight.

• the speaker was optimistic about mankind’s selflessness

• the speaker’s plane was the subject of another delayed

• the Palestinian woman reached her son safely

This work is an example of –

• epic poetry

• lyric poetry

• Haiku

• free-verse poetry