Strange Patterns

Where was the poet a young child?

• a.) Richmond, Virginia

• b.) Blacksburg, Virginia

• c.) Lynchburg, Virginia

• d.) Norfolk, Virginia

Where in Virginia could the poet not sit next to her white neighbor?

• a.) on her neighbor’s porch

• b.) under a grape arbor

• c.) anywhere there was lemonade

• d.) on the trolley

Where in Virginia could the poet sit next to her white neighbor?

• a.) under her neighbor’s grape arbor

• b.) on the trolley

• c.) on a bus carrying large pitchers of lemonade

• d.) on an airplane

What word does the poet use to describe how she sits next to her neighbor?

• a.) nuzzled

• b.) snuggled

• c.) nestled

• d.) cuddled

What did the poet’s neighbor offer the poet on hot, dry summer days?

• a. scuppernongs and lemonade

• b. cookies and milk

• c. ice cream

• d. cheeseburgers

Where was the poet also a young child?

• a.) Montclair, New Jersey

• b.) Newark, New Jersey

• c.) Patterson, New Jersey

• d.) Flemington, New Jersey

What is different for the poet in New Jersey?

• a.) The poet is not allowed to ride trolleys.

• b.) The poet is now a school teacher who has summers off.

• c.) The poet is allowed to ride in trolleys sitting next to white neighbors.

• d.) The poet is now an expert at making lemonade.

What word does the poet use to describe the line that separates her house

from the house of her neighbor in New Jersey?

• a.) sharp

• b.) harsh

• c.) acerbic

• d.) bitter

What is the poet never able to enjoy in New Jersey?

• a. the neighbor's kindness

• b. ice cream

• c. riding a pony

• d. apples and pears

Which statement best summarizes the poem?

• a.) A poet recalls different types of segregation in her childhood.

• b.) A young girl and an elderly neighbor become best friends.

• c.) A poet explains why California is better than Virginia and New Jersey.

• d.) A white neighbor decides to teach a young girl how to read.