Taylor Swift "Mean" Quiz

What are the two similes used by the writer in the first stanza of the poem?

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You, with your words like knives

And swords and weapons that you use against me

You have knocked me off my feet again

Got me feeling like a nothing

You, with your voice like nails on a chalkboard

Calling me out when I'm wounded line 6 You picking on the weaker man

• words like thunder and voice like a storm

• words like knives and your voice like nails on a chalkboard

• words like silk and voice like a soft melody

• words like water and voice like a gentle breeze

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CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.5

What is the first simile used by the writer in the poem "Mean"?

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You, with your words like knives

And swords and weapons that you use against me

You have knocked me off my feet again

Got me feeling like a nothing

You, with your voice like nails on a chalkboard

Calling me out when I'm wounded line 6 You picking on the weaker man

• Like a wildfire

• Like a snake

• Like knives

• Like a storm

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CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

What does the first simile in the poem suggest about words?

• Words can be comforting and soothing

• Words can be ignored easily

• Words can hurt as much as a physical injury

• Words can be forgotten quickly

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CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

What inference can be made about the effect of the other person's actions on the writer's self-esteem in the poem "Mean"?

• The actions have had no effect on the writer's self-esteem.

• The actions have improved the writer's self-esteem.

• The actions have repeatedly damaged the writer's self-esteem.

• The actions have been inconsistent in their effect on the writer's self-esteem.

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CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

To which sense does the imagery in line 5 of the poem "Mean" appeal?

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5 You, with your voice like nails on a chalkboard

• Sight

• Sound

• Taste

• Touch

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.5

Why does the writer use the simile "like wildfire" to describe lies in the poem "Mean"?

• Because lies are comforting like the warmth of a fire.

• Because lies are bright and illuminating.

• Because lies spread rapidly and cause destruction.

• Because lies are a natural phenomenon.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

In Stanza 2 of the poem "Mean," what does the writer reveal about herself?

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You, with your switching sides

And your wildfire lies and your humiliation

You have pointed out my flaws again

As if I don't already see them

I walk with my head down

Trying to block you out 'cause I'll never impress you

I just wanna feel okay again

• She feels strong and unbreakable.

• She feels confident and proud.

• She feels hurt and vulnerable.

• She feels indifferent and unaffected.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

According to the writer, what inference can be made about the other person's actions towards the writer's self-esteem?

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You, with your switching sides

And your wildfire lies and your humiliation

You have pointed out my flaws again

As if I don't already see them

I walk with my head down

Trying to block you out 'cause I'll never impress you

I just wanna feel okay again

• The other person has consistently supported the writer's self-esteem

• The other person has occasionally hurt the writer's self-esteem

• The other person has repeatedly damaged the writer's self-esteem

• The other person has no impact on the writer's self-esteem

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.5

What does the writer infer happened to the other person to make him/her treat the writer the way he/she does?

• The other person has been treated kindly and is passing it on

• The other person has been treated badly by someone else

• The other person has learned this behavior from books

• The other person is naturally mean without any influence

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CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

What does the writer predict in the refrain for herself in the future?

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Someday I'll be living in a big ol' city

And all you're ever going to be is mean

Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me

And all you're ever going to be is mean

Why you gotta be so mean?

• She will be living in a small town

• She will be living in a big city and be so big herself that the other person can never "hit" her again

• She will be traveling the world

• She will be living a quiet life in the countryside

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4