Caged Bird Poetry Analysis

What is the primary theme of "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings"?

• The importance of education

• The struggle for personal freedom

• The joy of spring

• The value of hard work

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DOK Level 1: Recall

Which poetic device is predominantly used in the poem to enhance the contrast between the caged bird and the free bird?

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Alliteration

• Personification

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DOK Level 2: Skill/Concept

What does the caged bird symbolize in the poem?

• The poet's childhood

• The oppression of marginalized communities

• The beauty of nature

• The power of silence

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DOK Level 2: Skill/Concept

How does Maya Angelou's personal history influence the themes in "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings"?

• Her experiences with travel

• Her academic achievements

• Her struggles with racism and identity

• Her interest in science

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

Identify the use of alliteration in the poem to emphasize the plight of the caged bird. Which of the following lines uses this device?

• "The caged bird sings with a fearful trill"

• "His wings are clipped and his feet are tied"

• "But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams"

• "The free bird thinks of another breeze"

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DOK Level 2: Skill/Concept

What can be inferred about the caged bird’s singing?

• It sings because it is happy

• It sings as a form of protest

• It sings to communicate with other birds

• It sings because it is well-fed

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

Which line from the poem best illustrates the theme of hope despite adversity?

• "The caged bird sings with a fearful trill"

• "His wings are clipped and his feet are tied"

• "The free bird leaps on the back of the wind"

• "The caged bird sings with a fearful trill of things unknown but longed for still"

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DOK Level 2: Skill/Concept

How does the structure of the poem contribute to its overall impact?

• By using a consistent rhyme scheme

• By alternating perspectives between the caged and free bird

• By employing a single stanza

• By using free verse without a pattern

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

What does the "grave of dreams" symbolize in the poem?

• The end of hope

• The burial of past traumas

• The limitations imposed on the caged bird

• The natural cycle of life and death

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DOK Level 2: Skill/Concept

In what way does the poem reflect Maya Angelou's broader literary focus on civil rights and social justice?

• By depicting the struggle of the caged bird for freedom

• By celebrating the beauty of nature

• By focusing on personal relationships

• By using complex scientific metaphors

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking