Life Doesn't Frighten Me

Which phrase best explains why the speaker repeats the line Life doesn’t frighten me at all?

• To help overcome her fears

• To explain that the world is not scary

• To show that some people have many fears

• To suggest that she is braver than her classmates

The genre, or form, of “Life Doesn’t Frighten Me” is most suggestive of a —

• narrative poem, telling a long story in a direct way

• limerick, describing a brief incident in a humorous way

• nursery rhyme, delivering a simple message in a fun way

• haiku, giving a structured description of something in nature

Read lines 1–2 from the poem.

Shadows on the wall / Noises down the hall

Which two words best describe the setting in lines 1–2?

• Silent

• Mysterious

• Creepy

• Distant

• Loud

The speaker references elements of fantasy throughout the poem to demonstrate that —

• fantasy is scary

• fears are imaginary

• feeling afraid is childish

• fantasy is the best genre

Which lines in the poem best support the idea that the speaker knows how to drive
away fears?

• Lines 1–6

• Lines 7–12

• Lines 13–20

• Lines 41–44

Which lines describe the most realistic threat to the poem’s speaker?

• Lines 5–6

• Lines 7–8

• Lines 28–29

• Lines 39–40

Why are the last two stanzas important to the poem?

• Lines 5–6They are sad words used to warn the reader.

• They are silly words used to amuse the reader.

• Lines 28–29They are hair-raising words used to inspire fear.

• They are sing-song words used to dismiss fear.

When does the poem’s speaker say she might be scared?

• Alone at night

• In her dreams

• On the ocean floor

• When battling lions

Which item does the poem’s speaker claim as a special source of strength?

• Curly hair

• A magic charm

• Barking dogs

• A stranger in the dark

Which two statements describe the poem “Life Doesn’t Frighten Me”?

• The poem is about a child’s fear of growing up.

• The poem is about a long nightmare.

• The poem uses imagery that appeals to sight, sound, and touch.

• The poem uses repetition in every line.

• The poem’s title is also used as a refrain.