Why I Run

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

1. Part A 

What type of poem is Why I Run?

• Rhymed verse

• Limerick

• Haiku

• Free verse

1. Part B

Select the statement that best explains your answer for Part A. 

• The first line of the poem has five syllables.

• The rhyme scheme for this poem is AABBA.

• The poem has no rhyme scheme.

• The rhyme scheme for this poem is AABBB.

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

1. Part A 

Which line of the poem is a metaphor?

• “Motorboats speeding over gray water,” (line 11)

• “The runners were a rumbling herd,” (line 6)

• “I went home that day and laced up my shoes” (line 16)

• “was a few years ago with my grandma” (line 2)

1. Part B

What does the metaphor selected in Part A mean as it is used in the poem?

• That the runners were running alone

• That the runners acted like animals

• That the girl was at a zoo

• That the runners were running a large group

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

1. Part A 

What does the phrase swiftest birds mean as it is used in the poem?

“except for a few-like the swiftest birds

 who shot out alone to run their races” (lines 7-8)

• animal

• a small amount

• slow

• fast

1. Part B

Which word or phrase in the text helps you understand the meaning of the phrase swiftest bird?

• shot out

• birds

• except for a few

• alone to run

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

1. Part A 

What is the speaker’s perspective about marathon runners?

• The speaker thinks marathon runners are amazing and determined. 

• The speaker thinks marathon runners should be fast in order to win.

• The speaker thinks that marathons runners are really slow. 

• The speaker thinks that marathon runners are blocking the city’s streets, making it hard to get around town. 

1. Part B

Which line from the poem best supports your answer in Part A?

• “the bounce in my steps clarified my vision” (line 14)

• “and marveled at the number of feet” (line 4)

•  “and although my feet started out as one big bruise” (line 17)

• “we stood out on our city’s streets” (line 3)