America, I Sing You Back

1. What is the narrator's intention for America as suggested in the poem?

• To let America find her own path without interference
• To bring America back to her roots and wisdom
• To celebrate America's independence and self-reliance
• To criticize America's choices and direction

2. In the poem, the narrator uses various metaphors to describe their relationship with America. Which of the following metaphors best illustrates this relationship?

• "My song gave her creation, prepared her delivery, held her severed cord beautifully beaded."
• "My blood-veined rivers, painted pipestone quarries."
• "Carefully rumbling her great underbelly, prepared to pour forth singing."
• "Call her to peer into waters, to behold herself in dark and light."

3. Which of the following statements characterize the narrator of the poem? Select all that apply.

• The narrator is a passive observer of America's growth.
• The narrator experiences a sense of detachment and abandonment.
• The narrator envisions a harmonious and maturing connection with America
• The narrator judgmentally critiques America's actions and decisions.
• The narrator has a nurturing and guiding role in America's development.

4. In the poem, what does the narrator's reference to "dancing deep inside" symbolize?

• Joy and Celebration
• Internal struggle
• Cultural heritage
• Desire for freedom

5. Which rhetorical device is predominantly used by the narrator in the lines "I will sing her back, sing her back. I will sing. Oh I will—I do." to emphasize their determination and commitment?

• Metaphor
• Hyperbole
• Personification
• Repetition

6. In the line "My song helped her stand, held her hand for first steps," what rhetorical device is used?

• Personification
• Alliteration
• Simile
• Hyperbole

7. Which example of imagery best describes the poem?

• a young man leading a country into battle
• a young woman nurturing a child
• a child questioning life in America
• a young woman deciding what to do next

8. Read the excerpt from the text below. What is the significance of the metaphor in line 6-7. My song gave her creation, prepared her delivery, held her severed cord beautifully beaded.

• The narrator has cherished America from its birth.
• The narrator is indifferent towards America's development.
• The narrator feels that America is "severed" from her forever.
• The narrator anticipates how America will be rebellious from birth.

9. The repetition of "My song" most likely represents...

• The narrator's connection to the land that has built America
• The narrator's desire to return to a life rooted in tradition
• The narrator's understanding of how music has shaped America
• The narrator's prayer for a changing America

10. Read the excerpt from the text below. This excerpt contains an extended metaphor, which is a comparison that extends over multiple lines. What is the purpose of including this extended metaphor? "My song helped her stand, held her hand for first steps, nourished her very being, fed her, placed her three sisters strong. My song comforted her as she battled my reason broke my long-held footing sure, as any child might do."

• It reveals the narrator to be a mother of a difficult and unruly child
• It emphasizes the positive and negative aspects of motherhood

• It compares the struggles of the narrator's upbringing to that of raising a child

• It contrasts the song with the inner thoughts of the narrator