Guilty Poetry Quiz

1. Based on the poem, what can the reader conclude about the speaker’s past behavior?

• A The speaker usually acts in a way that pleases the parents
• B The speaker has tried a similar approach to get out of trouble before.
• C The speaker defends the little sister even when she is wrong.
• D The speaker has difficulty remembering the family rules

2. Why does the poem begin and end with the same line?

• A To emphasize the speaker’s feelings about the situation
• B To give a clue about the problem the speaker’s sister has
• C To show the frustration of the speaker’s family members
• D To highlight a change in the way the speaker feels about the little sister

3. The actions of the parents are based on-

• A fairness
• B courage
• C loyalty
• D kindness

4. Read these lines from the poem. My father shook his head at me. My mother gave her a hug. These two lines reveal that the speaker’s parents-

• A can be easily tricked by their children
• B believe they know the truth about what happened
• C are surprised that a cookie is missing
• D are glad to see their children

5. The poet uses the phrase “crashing like thunder” in the last stanza to help readers understand-

• A how loud the thunder sounds in the house
• B why mom became upset with the speaker
• C to convey that the speaker thinks the situation is unfair
• D why most people become annoyed with their sister

6. What is the most likely reason the poet uses a simile in line 9-10?

• A To identify the feelings of the parents
• B To suggest that it was obvious that the cookie was missing
• C To explain that Bryson’s belongings have made a mess in
• D To show that the speaker was blameless

7. Read this information about the origin of void. From Anglo French voide, meaning “unfilled space or gap” The origin helps the reader understand that the word void in stanza 2 refers to—

• A an empty space
• B a dark area
• C a whole area
• D a quiet space