On the Pulse of the Morning

What does Angelou use as a symbol to create the feeling of just how brief human history?

• Imagery of the Mastodon

• Imagery of water

• Descriptions of fish

• none of these

An allusion is an indirect reference to something else. By speaking of the "Ashanti, the Yoruba, the Kru," cultures, brought to the riverbank "Sold, stolen, arriving on the nightmare / Praying for a dream," Angelou is alluding to what?

• Slavery in the United States

• Ancient Cultures

• The hope for a better future

• none of these

By alluding to slavery in the United States, what is she saying about the present?

• Racism is still present in different forms

• To be aware of history.

• There is still slavery in the United States

• all of these

"The River sings on..." The use of this symbolism makes the statement that...

• Time continually moves forward.

• The river is singing.

• All things are connected, both past and present.

• none of these

"The River sings on..." is an example of...

• personification

• alliteration

• villification

• sensation

The symbol of the tree planted by the riverside creates the feeling of...

• permanence

• nature

• purity

• life

"Do not be wedded forever

To fear, yoked eternally

To brutishness."

These lines are suggesting the action to...

• work together for a better future without racism, sexism, etc.

• plant yourself next to a river so you can grow.

• not get married forever

• none of these

"You may have the grace to look up and out

And into your sister’s eyes, into

Your brother’s face, your country

And say simply

Very simply

With hope

Good morning."

The above lines conclude the poem. What is the significance of the phrase Good morning in this selection?

• The phrase signifies an idea of acknowledging others.

• The phrase means another day is coming

• The phrase signifies change.

• None of these.

Overall, the tone of this poem is best described as...

• optimistic

• outraged

• playful

• questioning

Beginning with the Mastodon, and progressing through the present illustrates the idea that...

• time and change are constant

• history is long

• humans have not always existed

• humans have screwed everything up