Stage Fright

The author's opinion that stage fright can be overcome is best supported by-

• the reaction of Mariah Carey's fans

• Mariah Carey's experience

• the description of how a body reacts to stress

• information about the source of stage fright

Read this dictionary entry.

Strike\'strik\verb

1. to hit with a hand or object

2. to crash against

3. to affect suddenly

4. come to an agreement

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• Definition 4

The author speaks directly to the reader in paragraphs 1 and 2 in order to-

• encourage the reader to try out for a play

• share a personal story with the reader

• help the reader understand the experience of stage fright

• demonstrate that acting requires skill

Which of the these best expresses the main idea of paragraph 5?

• Eating certain foods can help prevent stage fright.

• Stage fright affects people who do not practice their performance.

• wearing the proper clothing can help relieve stage fright.

• stage fright can be overcome by using several strategies.

With which statement would the poet and the author most likely agree?

• Performing in front of a crowd can make a person nervous.

• The foods people eat can affect their performance.

• A crowd's applause can disturb a performer.

• Acting is the most difficult kind of performing.

The poet uses figurative language in line 18 to highlight the speaker's-

• determination to do well

• anxiety once he gets onstage

• satisfaction in being chosen for the role

• eagerness to perform

The poem uses figurative language in line 18 to highlight the speaker's-

• is chosen for a role in a play that he doesn't understand

• has trouble with his lines after seeing his classmates in the audience

• experiences problems onstage but is able to finish his performance

• can hardly wait to be onstage because he has practiced so much

The poet uses line 11 to signal that the speaker changes from-

• cheerful to sad

• interested to bored

• confident to unsure

• desperate to hopeful

In line 3, why does the poet repeat and italicize the words from line 2?

• To show that the role will be difficult

• To emphasize that this role is important to the speaker

• To show that the speaker is familiar with the play

• To give the name of the play the speaker is in

Read these lines from the poem.

I memorized each

line.

Learned them by

heart.

The poet uses the figurative expression "learned them by heart" to emphasize that the speaker-

• has volunteered to be in the play

• practices on the stage

• enjoys playing the role of the prince

• feels prepared for his performance