"Hanging Fire" and "Summer of his 14th year"

Core

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CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.8.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

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CCSS.RI.9-10.7

1. In “Hanging Fire,” what does the poet imply by including the refrain and momma’s in the bedroom / with the door closed at the end of each stanza?

• The speaker thinks her mother is lonely.
• The speaker wants to open the door and surprise her mother.
• The speaker feels cut off from her mother and is lonely.
• The speaker is proud that she can take care of herself without her mother.

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CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

2. In “Hanging Fire,” the poet’s use of free verse makes the speaker sound like a teenager who is —

• giving a formal speech at school
• discussing problems with a friend
• singing a song to prepare for a talent show
• describing personal experiences to a parent

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CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

3. In “Hanging Fire,” the poet uses the image of the closed door —

• to suggest that the mother is angry with her daughter
• as a symbol of the isolation the daughter feels
• as a metaphor for the sympathy the daughter has for her mother
• to suggest that the mother would help if she had more time

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CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

4. In “Hanging Fire,” the poet describes the speaker’s fears and worries to give the reader insight into —

• common experiences many teens face on a daily basis
• unique experiences only the mother can understand
• moments the speaker would only discuss with a true friend
• struggles that frustrate every parent of a teen

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CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.7.10

5. Which sentence best describes the effect of the short lines in “Hanging Fire”?

• They highlight how young and immature the speaker is.
• They illustrate the speaker’s lack of ability to express herself fully.
• They show that the speaker prefers to keep the details of her life private.
• They indicate the fleeting thoughts going through the speaker’s head each moment.

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CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.7.10

6. What does the poet imply about the speaker’s relationship with her son in “Summer of His Fourteenth Year”?

• The speaker feels more distant from her son.
• The speaker helps her son pursue his interests.
• The speaker listens to her son as he describes his problems.
• The speaker appreciates that her son demonstrates responsibility.

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CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

7. In “Summer of His Fourteenth Year,” the poet most likely uses varied line lengths in the poem to —

• provide variety to interest a teen audience
• create a predictable rhythmical pattern
• portray the changing moods of a teen
• emphasize the bond between mother and son

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CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.7.4

8. Which statement best expresses the theme developed by lines 20–24 of “Summer of His Fourteenth Year”?

• Teens still rely on their mothers in times of need.
• Teens feel constantly embarrassed by their mothers.
• Teens sometimes want a closer connection to their mothers.
• Teens try to grow up by pulling away from their mothers.

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

9. The two points of view in the poems emphasize the challenges of adolescence by —

• showing teens’ desire to gain more responsibility and independence
• illustrating teens’ thought processes and emotional responses
• showing how teens and parents struggle with the transition to adulthood
• illustrating how parents feel frustrated by the behavior of their teens

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CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.8.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

CCSS.RI.7.7