"Caged Bird" Assessment

Select the two line combination that best describe the difference between the two birds.

• “...a bird that stalks”; and “...dares to claim the sky.” (line 8)

• “his wings are clipped; and “his feet are tied” (line 12 & 13)

• “and his tune is heard”; and “sings of freedom.” (line 35 & 38)

• “the narrow cage” and “on the distant hill.” (lines 8 & 20)

• “on the back of the wind; and “floats downstream” (line 2 & 3)

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.7

CCSS.RI.7.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.6.9

CCSS.RL.7.7

What inference can you draw about the caged bird based upon the following lines from stanza 3: “The caged bird sings/with a fearful trill/of things unknown/but longed for still…”

• The caged bird is afraid of freedom

• The caged has not given up on being free

• The caged bird is unsure of why he is trapped

• The caged bird is jealous of the free bird

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

Part A: Which of the following best describes the theme of “Caged Bird”?

• Freedom is found through voice.

• It is better to be free.

• No one should cage a bird.

• Only free birds can sing.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

Part B: Select two lines that support your answer to Part A.

• “The caged bird sings” (line 15)

• “The free bird thinks of another breeze” (line 23)

• “so he opens his throat to sing.” (line 14)

• “his wings are clipped” (line 12)

• “and the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright lawn”(line 25)

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

What effect do the words stalks, cage, rage, clipped, and tied (in the second stanza) have on the tone of the poem?

• the caged bird is limited and angry yet hopeful.

• the caged bird as free and ready to claim what is his.

• the caged bird is free to do as he wishes in his cage

• the caged bird is proud to be kept in a cage.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

Select which of the following is true about why the author uses the wind, a stream, the sun’s rays and sky to describe the free bird in the first stanza?

• The author is using nature to show the bird in its natural setting.

• The author is using elements that go on forever or for a long period to show the bird is not limited.

• The author is using nature to show how the free bird is limited by its surroundings.

• The author is using nature to show what the caged bird doesn’t have.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

What does the repetition of stanza 3 emphasize about the poem’s theme?

• The caged bird dreams of freedom.

• The only thing the caged bird has is its voice.

• The songs of caged bird are ignored.

• The caged bird is tied down by its situation.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

The author uses which of the following text structure styles in this poem:

• The author alternates comparing and contrasting stanzas to show the difference between the birds

• The author reveals a conflict in one stanza and the solution in the next

• The author describes details that present feelings of being “trapped” or “free”

• The author establishes a chronological order of events to help the reader understand the poem’s meaning

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

Part A: What is the meaning of the phrase ”grave of dreams” as used in the passage?

• The caged bird is using the death of his dreams to motivate him to sing.

• The caged bird is dreaming of his own death as a bridge to freedom.

• Freedom is lost once dreams are no longer reachable.

• Freedom is found through the death of the free bird.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

Part B: Select two phrases in the text that provide clues to the meaning.

• “...of things unknown but longed for still”

• “...and his tune is heard on the distant hill”

• “...and dares to claim the sky”

• “...sings with a fearful trill”