"If" by Rudyard Kipling

Read the first stanza of the poem. Based on lines 5 and 6, what can you conclude about the speaker's values?

• The speaker values curiosity and creativity.

• The speaker values patience and honesty.

• The speaker values good looks and political debates.

• The speaker values the opinions of other people.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Read these lines from the poem:

If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim,

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same:

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools;

To personify means to give human-like characteristics to something that is not human.

What does the poet personify in these lines?

• "thoughts"

• "triumph and disaster"

• "knaves" and "fools"

• "tools"

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

Read this stanza from the poem:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings,

And never breathe a word about your loss:

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

To what does the pronoun "them" refer?

• "winning"

• "pitch and toss"

• "beginnings"

• "heart and nerve and sinew"

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.5

What is the speaker probably urging the addressee to do in lines 29 and 30?

• The speaker is probably urging the addressee to pay more attention to kings than to common people.

• The speaker is probably urging the addressee to exercise more often.

• The speaker is probably urging the addressee to make the most of his time.

• The speaker is probably urging the addressee to relax and enjoy the moment

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

Based on the last line of the poem, what can you conclude about who the speaker of this poem is?

• A parent speaking to a child.

• Rudyard Kipling speaking to all of his readers.

• A son reflecting on his life

• A young kid reading about life

What might the speaker's purpose be?

• everything in life should be thought about and planned out

• whatever you do in life needs to be rushed and have no regrets

• there is nothing more important in life than to live with "if"

• make sure that your focus in life is on yourself and nothing else

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What is a theme of this poem?

• Becoming a grownup takes confidence, determination, and virtue.

• Most people handle failure better than they handle success.

• Talking about your problems is the first step toward solving them.

• People should spend more time in crowds and less time around royalty.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What is the rhyme scheme of stanza #4

• A, B, C, D, A, B, C, D

• A, A, B, B, C, C, D, D

• A, A, B, C, B, C, D, D

• A, B, A, B, C, D, C, D

Who does the author believe you must count on in life?

• Trustworthy friends

• Loving family

• Nobody

• Yourself

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

What does the following line mean: "If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue".

• Listen to what others say.

• Make sure you are loyal.

• Keep your morals even if you may be influenced by others.

• Don't share your opinions if others disagree.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9