If We Must Die

Which statement best describes the main theme of the poem?

• Dignity is worth fighting for, even at the assurance of death.

• It is dishonorable to lose a fight, even if one is outnumbered.

• Do what is necessary to survive, even if it means acting out of fear.

• People who die in battle, even for a noble cause, are often forgotten.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What is the purpose of the alliteration in line 4?

(Making their mock at our accursèd lot.)

• It repeats a letter sound to imitate the sound of giggling.

• It draws readers in to create a smooth flow.

• It repeats a letter sound to highlight the insults being made.

• It draws readers' attention to the playful mood of the poem.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

What is the meaning of lines 7-8?

(In vain; then even the monsters we defy

Shall be constrained to honor us though dead!)

• that the enemy are a bunch of emotionless monsters

• that dying honorably forces even the enemy to pay their respects

• that they are ready to fight back against the enemy despite the dire circumstances

• that they are united as one front against an un-unified enemy

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

In line 8, "constrained" means about the same as —

(Shall be constrained to honor us though dead!) 

• revived.

• forced.

• invited.

• Proud.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Which phrase from the poem provides the best clue to the meaning of "constrained"?

• "If we must die, let it not be like hogs" (Line 1)

• "Making their mock at our accursed lot" (Line 4)

• "In vain; then even the monsters we defy" (Line 7)

• "We must meet the common foe!" (Line 9)

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

In lines 13-14, the diction (word choice) portrays the enemy as which of the following?

(Like men we'll face the murderous, cowardly pack, 

Pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back!)

• brave

• honorable

• trapped

• weak

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

Which of the following words from lines 13-14 portrays the enemy as weak?

• "murderous"

• "cowardly"

• "pressed"

• "Fighting"

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

The tone of this poem can be described as —

• hopeful.

• cautious.

• inspirational.

• critical.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

Which TWO details from the poem best support the inspirational tone?

• "be like hogs" (Line 1)

• "Hunted and penned" (Line 2)

• "let us nobly die" (Line 5)

• "O kinsmen!" (Line 9)

• "let us show us brave" (Line 10)

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9