If We Must Die By Claude McKay 1919

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.

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

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CCSS.RL.11-12.2

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CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What is the purpose of the alliteration in line 4?

• 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.

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CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.8.10

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What is the meaning of lines 7-8?

• 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

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CCSS.RL.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

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CCSS.RL.9-10.9

4. PART A: In line 8, "constrained" means about the same as —

• revived

• forced

• invited

• proud

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PART B: 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)

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CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

PART A: In lines 13-14, the diction portrays the enemy as which of the following?

• brave

• honorable

• trapped

• weak

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CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

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PART B: Which of the following words from lines 13-14 helped you answer Part A?

• murderous

• cowardly

• pressed

• fighting

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CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

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PART A: The tone of this poem can be described as —

• hopeful

• cautious

• inspirational

• critical

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CCSS.RL.11-12.8

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PART B: Which TWO details from the poem best support the answer to Part A?

• "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"

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CCSS.RL.11-12.8

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