America by Claude McKay

What does the speaker mean by “Darkly I gaze into the days ahead”?

• The speaker is uncertain about his future in America and about the future of America.

• The speaker cares about the dark skies in America, and how the storms affect the people.

• The speaker believes he knows nothing about America, and therefore, has no hope.

• The speaker is fearful that the things he sees will damage his eyesight.

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Reread the following line from the poem.

Her vigor flows like tides into my blood, Giving me strength erect against her hate,

What effect does the simile have on the meaning of the poem?

• It emphasizes the hope he has to persevere through the challenges he faces when America treats him badly because he sees the good in America.

• It highlights how people are often opposed to going through difficult situations because they feel defeated.

• It shows how people are unwilling to change and grow when they are faced with an unfamiliar experience.

• It shows how America is a war zone that takes strength from people and causes them unnecessary stress.

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What can the reader infer is the speaker’s relationship with America?

• The speaker has become fully accepted in America.

• The speaker is humbled to be welcomed in America, despite his differences.

• The speaker and America exist in conflict with each other.

• The speaker feels like America is not the best place for him to live and build a life.

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PART A: Which of the following best describes a theme of the text?

Remember your answer to this question! There is a part B

answer

• Change can only come through using radical disobedience and violence.

• Dedication to progress is unnecessary when fighting for what is right.

• Progress only comes when an individual lives a socially acceptable lifestyle.

• Having hope and remaining positive can make the most difficult situations more bearable.

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PART B: Which of the following quotes best supports the answer to Part A?

• 
  "Although she feeds me bread of bitterness, And sinks into my throat her tiger’s tooth” (Lines 1-2)

• "Darkly I gaze into the days ahead, And see her might and granite wonders there"(Lines 11-12)

• “Her bigness sweeps my being like a flood.” (line 7)

• “Stealing my breath of life, I will confess” (line 3)

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Read the following lines from the poem.

“I stand within her walls with not a shred Of terror, malice, not a word of jeer. Darkly I gaze into the days ahead, And see her might and granite wonders there, Beneath the touch of Time’s unerring hand, Like priceless treasures sinking in the sand.”

Part A: What is the meaning of the word “might” as it is used in the poem?

Remember your answer to this question! There is a part B

• Confusion

• Foolishness

• Power

• Kindness

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Part B: Which of the following phrases helps the reader determine the meaning of “might?”

• “I stand within her walls”

• “Beneath the touch of Time’s unerring hand”

• “Darkly I gaze into the days ahead”

• “Like priceless treasures”

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Read the following line.

“Although she feeds me bread of bitterness, And sinks into my throat her tiger’s tooth, Stealing my breath of life, I will confess I love this cultured misery that tests my youth.”

Based on its use in the poem, what does “tiger’s tooth” symbolize?

• The teeth of members of the wildcat family

• Extreme difficulties and challenges

• breathlessness of a person who has been bitten

• the uncertain relationship between animals and humans

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Which of the following best describes the speaker’s feelings about America?

• The speaker has experienced both good and bad things in America, so he is not concerned with the way things are.

• The speaker dislikes America and has decided to speak out about the bad experiences there.

• The speaker has a love-hate relationship with America, so he chooses to be optimistic, but also realistic about America.

• The speaker loves America and chooses not to focus on those things that he does not like and cannot change.

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Read the following lines from the poem.

“And see her might and granite wonders there,

Beneath the touch of Time’s unerring hand,

Like priceless treasures sinking in the sand.”

What can the reader infer is the meaning of the phrase “like priceless treasures sinking in the sand?”

• The use of figurative language here is to show the greatness of America but also the idea that it could gradually disappear.

• The use of figurative language here is to show that America is full of buildings and skyscrapers, but they won’t last forever.

• The use of figurative language here is to explain the friendships developed in America and how those friendships stand the test of time to exist always.

• The use of figurative language here is to show how wonderful every moment is so that people will make memories and not waste time.

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