Lessons and Family Strings

Use “Lessons” to answer questions 1–4.

1. Lines 1 and 2 help the reader determine that Mrs. Graham —

A is skilled at playing the piano

B enjoys both music and dance

C is playing a song at a fast pace

D likes creating her own songs

• A

• B

• C

• D

2 The second stanza (lines 11–22) suggests that the speaker —

A wants to take lessons with Mrs. Graham more often

B uses homework as an excuse for not practicing

C wants to play the piano better than he does

D has become tired of practicing the piano every day

• A

• B

• C

• D

3 Mrs. Graham’s dialogue with Ruben shows that she is —

A playful

B encouraging

C honest

D creative

• A

• B

• C

• D

4 The alliteration in line 32 highlights the speaker’s —

A relief when the lesson is over

B dislike for the song he is learning

C desire to please his piano teacher

D frustration when he makes mistakes

• A

• B

• C

• D

Use “Family Strings” to answer questions 5–8.

5 What does the personification in lines 33–36 help the reader visualize?

A The reason that music becomes important to the boy

B The moment when the boy becomes interested in the guitar

C The relationship the boy has with his grandfather because of the guitar

D The role that music will have in the boy’s life

• A

• B

• C

• D

6 The poet includes onomatopoeia in line 40 to emphasize that —

A the boy’s efforts to play are awkward

B the guitar is many years old

C the boy does not have permission to play the guitar

D the strings of the guitar are not working correctly

• A

• B

• C

• D

7 The poet uses the poem’s structure to emphasize —

A the places the guitar has traveled with the family

B the types of music that have been played on the guitar

C the ways the guitar has been used in the past and in the present

D the personal connections the family has with the guitar

• A

• B

• C

• D

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

Part A

What can the reader conclude about the speaker’s feelings about the guitar?

A The guitar is no longer useful.

B The guitar is a valued treasure to the family.

C The speaker does not have time to play the guitar.

D The son is too young to play the guitar.

• A

• B

• C

• D

Part B Which lines from the poem best support the answer to Part A?

A its face slightly faded,its neck scratched and worn. (lines 3 and 4)

B a gift from her father,with love. (lines 20 and 21)

C sits mostly idleand quiet. (lines 25 and 26)

D the daughter’s young son.Just seven years old (lines 36 and 37)

• A

• B

• C

• D

Use “Lessons” and “Family Strings” to answer questions 9–12.

9 Based on the endings of the poems, which of these predictions can the reader make about

both Ruben in “Lessons” and the daughter’s son in “Family Strings”?

A They may want to learn songs that are challenging for them.

B They might ask a family member to teach them an instrument.

C They might be nervous to play music for others.

D They may make an effort to play music well.

• A

• B

• C

• D