David's Old Soul Module 3 Mid Unit 3 Assessment

Read the following excerpt, and answer the questions below.

“But now that our family has / dwindled to just Mom and us kids, I’ve grown / into a man.”

What is the meaning of dwindled as it is used in this excerpt?

• dealt

• driven

• decreased

• deepened

What has helped David understand what it means to have an “old soul”?

• discovering his true name

• moving away from home

• becoming frustrated with his mother

• having to take responsibility for his siblings

How does the line Grimes borrows from “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” relate to the ideas of this poem?

• by comparing David to historical figures

• by showing David discovering a troubling secret

• by showing how difficult times can give us deep strength

• by showing how people often take a long time to discover who they are

Read the following excerpt, and answer the question below.

“So I stand strong like / a tree my baby brothers can lean on. I try to be the / raft that helps carry them over this life’s rough rivers.”

What is the effect of David comparing himself to a “tree” and a “raft”?

• It shows that he helps others.

• It shows how difficult life can be.

• It shows how he feels used by others.

• It shows how he would like to escape.

This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.

Part A

What is a theme in the poem?

• Listening to your elders is important.

• Taking care of yourself should come first.

• The most difficult problems are sometimes invisible.

• Being mature means learning to help and care for others.

Part B

How does the author develop this theme?

• by describing the speaker finding his strength

• by showing the speaker’s anger at his situation

• by showing the speaker turning away from difficulty

• by describing the speaker’s confusion at his situation