My Papa's Waltz

Which word could most likely replace the word "countenance" and mean the same thing?

• Dress
• Dance
• Face
• Falling

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CCSS.RL.8.4

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How does the poet's diction help to create the overall mood of the poem?

• The unfamiliar words like "romped", "countenance", and "waltzing" confuse the reader, causing him/her to feel uneasy.
• The simple words with a negative connotation like "death", "scraped", "Clinging" and "beat" combined with the serious situation add to the sympathy or sadness felt by the reader.
• All of the references to drinking and dancing, like "whiskey" and "waltzing" form an energetic and exciting experience for the reader.
• The word "unfrown" sets the entire mood of the poem.  The author can't help but be happy by the situation presented.

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CCSS.RL.11-12.8

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Which of the following could be a possible theme that relates to "My Papa's Waltz"?

• The spirit of the brave never dies.
• Never give up.
• The older you get, the more you understand about the past.
• Fight for family.

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This poem has often been the topic of great debate.  Which of the following contrasting viewpoints could possibly be the biggest source of controversy about the poem?

• Some think the poem is about alcohol abuse, while others think the poem is about the lack of a woman's role in the family.
• Some think the poem is about a friendly and fun game/horseplay between a father and son, while others think it shows the darker side of a home torn apart by alcohol abuse and child abuse.
• Some think the poem is about a mother's neglect, while others think the poem is about the importance of a strong fatherly role in the family. 
• Some think the poem is about the waltz, while others think the poem is actually about domestic violence.

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Which of the following lines from the poem is an example of a simile?

• could not unfrown itself
• battered on one knuckle
• clinging to your shirt
• hung on like death

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CCSS.RL.11-12.8

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Which of the following literary devices does the following line represent:  "the whiskey on your breath could make a small boy dizzy"

• allusion
• imagery
• tone
• mood

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Read lines 4 and 5. The poet uses these lines to emphasize: 

• How the boy was afraid for his life
• That the boy was confident his dad was drunk
• The boy needed to hold on because of how much the dad was moving
• The boy loved dancing with the dad

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By using the diction in line 8, the poet emphasizes:

• The mom was frustrated at the mess the boy and father were making
• The mom has excited to see them playing together
• The mom was scared for her life
• The boy was worried his mom would get hurt 

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What does the imagery in "The hand that held my wrist was battered at one knuckle" show

• The father battered the boy 
• The father probably punched something and messed up his fist
• The father was abusive and beat the little boy
• The always bruises his knuckles 

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Why is it important that the author writes "still clinging to your shirt"

• The boy was screaming to be let go
• The dad was holding the boy too tightly
• The boy trusted the father and held close
• The boy was asleep and the dad carried him off to bed 

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