Lesson 9.1: "To an Athlete Dying Young"

Which of the following best summarizes a central theme of the poem?

• Death in youth can preserve the perfect image of a lost loved one in our memories.

• Grief can unite people, even an entire town

• War is tragic, but even more so when it takes those with great potential before their time.

• When not given the time to properly form, identities can reflect only one aspect of ourselves

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

In line 8, “a stiller town” is most likely a symbol for:

• A different town in another place, where the athlete isn't well-known

• A quiet cemetery, which contrasts the loud cheering 'market-place'

• Heaven, where the speaker says the athlete belongs

• Another athletic event, where the athlete isn't expected to win

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

Which of the following statements best summarizes what the rhyme scheme contributes to the tone of the poem?

• The rhyme scheme follows a simple AABB pattern, creating an indifferent tone.

• The rhyme scheme follows a simple AABB pattern, echoing the youth of the dead athlete.

• The poem follows a ABAB pattern written in iambic tetrameter in 4-lined stanzas, or quatrains, similar to an elegy; this creates a dramatic, grieving tone.

• The poem follows a AABB pattern written in iambic tetrameter in 4-lined stanzas, or quatrains; the effect is a structured, certain tone in contrast to the uncertain, fleeting subjects of life and fame.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

What does the most likely mean when the athlete is carried home “shoulder-high” the second time?

• 
  

• • He is remembered in the townspeople's hearts.

• • He is supported by the townspeople's charity.

• • He is being carried in his coffin.

• • He is being carried because he is too weak to walk.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

What does the speaker congratulate the athlete for?

• 
  

• • on dying while he was still a great athlete

• • on not placing too much importance in awards

• • leaving a world record at such an early age

• • dying before his fame wasted away

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

Which of the following best summarizes a central theme of the poem?

• 
  

• • Grief can unite people, even an entire town.

• • When not given the time to properly form, identities can reflect only one aspect of ourselves.

• • Death in youth can preserve the perfect image of a lost loved one in our memories.

• • War is tragic, but even more so when it takes those with great potential before their time. 

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

In the line "a stiler town," the town is most likely a symbol for which of the following?

• • A different town in another place where the athlete isn't as well known

• • Heaven, where the speaker says the athlete belongs.

• • A quiet cemetery, which contrasts the loud cheering "market-place"

• • Another athletic event where the athlete isn't expected to win

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

How does the line "And the name died before the man" support the theme?

• 
  

• • the speaker says that shame was brought to the athletes' family before he died

• • the speaker says the athlete should be thankful that he died before people forgot his name

• • the speaker says that people forgot who the athlete was before he died

• • the speaker says that the athlete's achievements were wiped out when he died

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

How does the rhyme scheme contribute to the tone of the poem?

• • The rhyme scheme is simple, echoing the youth of the dead athlete.

• • The rhyme scheme is similar to an elegy, which provides a dramatic and grieving tone. 

• • The rhyme scheme is very structured and concrete as opposed to the fleeting subjects of life and fame.

• • The rhyme scheme is simple, creating an indifferent tone.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

Which word below is a synonym for the word "early"?

• bedtimes

• lintel

• route

• laurel

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.7.4