The White Man's Burden, ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS (CommonLit)

According to the poem, what is the "white man's burden"?

• A. The white man's burden, according to the poem, is to free other peoples from tyranny.

• B. The white man's burden, according to the poem, is the responsibility to amend past grievances (i.e. like the colonization of Africa and the Americas).

• C. The white man's burden, according to the poem, is to civilize those deemed uncivilied.

• D. The white man's burden, according to the poem, is to spread freedom to other industrialized nations.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

PART A: Which of the following best summarizes the language used to describe the people of the Philippines?

• A. The poem describes the Philippine people as both children and fiends, seemingly unable to properly govern themselves.

• B. The poem describes the Philippine people as docile children who can easily be taught to lead European lifestyles.

• C. The poem describes the Philippine people as violent and uncontrollable, emphasizing the need for white men to be careful and keep their distance.

• D. The poem describes the Philippine people as equals to white Europeans and therefore ideally suited for self-rule.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

PART B: Which of the following quotes best supports the answer to Part A?

• A. "On fluttered folk and wild-- /Your new-caught, sullen peoples, / Half devil and half child."

• B. "To veil the threat of terror / And check the show of prides;"

• C. "No iron rule of kings, / But toil of serf and sweeper--"

• D. "By all ye leave or do, / The silent sullen peoples / Shall weigh your God and you."

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.10