Poetry and Drama Review

What is the setting of the poem?

• In a park

• In heaven

• In someone's dreams

• In someone's life

Which line of the poem indicates that the speaker never gave up in life?

• "Where there ain't been no light."

• "It's had tacks in it,

  and splinters..."

• "For I'se still goin', honey,

  I'se still climbin'..."

• "And reachin' landin's,

  and turnin' corners..."

Which figurative language is used in this line? "Life for me ain't been no crystal staircase?"

• Metaphor

• Simile

• Cliche

• Hyperbole

How does the speaker's tone change in the poem?

• From hardship to success

• From success to hardship

• From sadness to despair

• From joy to elation

What does the use of the word "landin's" mean in the poem? (Use context clues).

• succeed in obtaining or achieving (something desirable), especially in the face of strong competition

• an instance of coming or bringing something to land, either from the air or from water

• reach the ground after falling or jumping

• arrive suddenly

What is the theme of the poem?

• Working just to get by

• Giving up hope

• Climbing a staircase

• Not giving up when things are difficult

Why does the poet use apostrophes?

• To show how the narrator speaks or using dialect

• To add emphasis

• To show sadness

• To show possession

What lines indicate a shift or change in the tone?

• "It's had tacks in it,

  And splinters,"

• "And places with no carpet on the floor--

  Bare."

• "But all the time

  I'se been a-climbin' on,"

• "I'se still climbin',"

What is the meaning of the poem, "Mother to Son?"

• An uplifting, hopeful poem about never giving up

• A sad and depressing poem about life

• A discouraging poem about failure

• A encouraging about the love of a mother to a son

What type of poetry is "Mother to Son?"

• Rhyming

• Limerick

• Free verse

• Haiku