Langston Hughes (Compare & Contrast Texts)

Which statement BEST expresses the theme of "Thank You Ma'am?"

• It can be difficult for children to learn right from wrong when there are bad influences around them.

• People are more likely to learn and practice good behavior when it is taught to them with kindness.

• Children often do not understand that adults have encountered the same challenges they have

• It is best not to assume the worst in people, as situations can easily be misunderstood.

How does Mrs. Jones’s response to Roger’s actions contribute to the development of the overall theme?

• Mrs. Jones decided to take the boy to her home because she realizes that he just needs someone to take care of him instead of punish him.

• Her anger teaches him a lesson.

• The boy is happy about Mrs. Jones' kindness towards him.

• Mrs. Jones takes care of the boy only because she wants her purse back.

According to Thank You Ma'am, is punishment or kindness more effective at helping people change? Which piece of textual evidence supports the answer?

• Kindness; "The door was open. He could

  make a dash for it down the hall. He could run, run, run, run, run!"

• Kindness; The woman said, “You ought to be my son. I would teach you right from wrong.

  Least I can do right now is to wash your face. Are you hungry?”

• Punishment; The woman said, “You ought to be my son. I would teach you right from wrong.

  Least I can do right now is to wash your face. Are you hungry?”

• Punishment; "When they were finished eating she got up and said, “Now, here, take this ten dollars and buy yourself some blue suede shoes."

Which of the following statements best describes a major theme of the poem "Mother to Son"?

• Never forget your family

• Persevere when life isn't easy.

• Hope is the answer to all challenges.

• Respect your elders.

In the poem Mother to Son it says, "It’s had tacks in it, And splinters, And boards torn up, And places with no carpet on the floor — Bare." Which of the following quotes from Thank You Ma'am shares the same figurative language?

• Hyperbole "She was a large woman with a large purse that had everything in it but hammer and nails."

• Imagery "The large woman simply turned around and kicked him right square in his blue-jeaned sitter. Then she reached down, picked the boy up by his shirt front, and shook him until his teeth rattled."

• Repetition "He could make a dash for it down the hall. He could run, run, run, run, run!"

• Alliteration "...do not make the mistake of latching onto my pocketbook nor nobody else’s..."

In the poem Mother to Son, the speaker says, “life for me ain’t been no crystal stair." What would a crystal staircase be — both literally and figuratively?

• A crystal staircase represents a hard life.

• A crystal staircase is attractive and represents a wealthy life.

• A crystal staircase represents the speaker's ability to rise above difficulties.

• A crystal staircase is pretty.

How are the text patterns different between the two Langston Hughes texts?

• Thank You Ma'am is a short story that takes its time to reveal the theme, and Mother to Son is a poem that is short and to the point.

• They are both short.

• They are both very long.

• Thank You Ma'am is a poem and Mother to Son is a short story.

Which viewpoint, or perspective, is represented in Thank You Ma'am that is not directly represented in Mother to Son?

• A rich person's perspective

• A father figure's perspective

• A strong female character's perspective

• A young child's perspective

Choose the BEST answer that explains how the two themes of Langston Hughes texts are similar.

• They both show the reader that life is hard.

• They are both written by the same author.

• They both show the reader a story with a woman and a boy.

• They both show the reader that life takes discipline, kindness, and patience.

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Which word BEST describes the two female characters' perspective on life?

• Dedication

• Empathy

• Perseverance

• Honesty

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