"Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes

Which of the following best describes who the speaker is, who is being spoken to, and what is being discussed in the poem?

• a mother telling a story to her son about her own childhood

• a mother giving advice to her son about the difficulties in life

• a narrator telling the story of a mother and son

• a mother telling her son what needs to be repaired in their house

In lines 15-16, the speaker says "Don't you set down on the steps/'Cause you finds it's kinder hard." This is an example of dialect that Hughes uses throughout the poem. What do these lines mean?

• Don't step on the stairs because you'll fall through the boards.

• Don't sit down on the steps because it's not a kind thing to do.

• Don't set anything down on the steps if you feel tired.

• Don't sit down on the steps if you feel tired

Line 7 is comprised of just one word, bare. Which of the following definitions of bare apply to its use in the context of this poem?

• not filled, covered, or decorated; empty

• unconcealed; undisguised; in plain sight; not hidden

• plain; simple

• only just enough; nothing extra

Which piece of evidence best supports the fact that bare means "not filled, covered, or decorated; empty"?

• "find it's kinder hard" (16)

• "ain't been no light" (13)

• "no carpet on the floor" (6)

• "I'se still climbin" (19)

Which of the following statements best explains the metaphor that Hughes is using in the poem?

• The speaker describes herself climbing up a difficult and dangerous staircase, which is a figurative depiction of her ongoing struggles in life.

• The speaker describes herself climbing up a beautiful and crystal staircase, which is symbolic of her own goals and the struggle towards them.

• The speaker describes herself climbing up a poorly-kept staircase which transforms into a crystal one, which represents her ability to rise about difficulties.

• The speaker describes herself going down a difficult and dangerous staircase, which is a figurative depiction of her continued problems.

Which part of the following statements best describes this mother's ideas about life and the advice she is giving to her son?

• Hope is the answer to all challenges

• Your struggles make you who you are

• Keep going, no matter what struggles you face.

• People will try to stand in your way.

Which of the pieces of evidence best support that the mother's ideas about life & advice to her son are "to keep going, no matter what struggles you face"?

• "Life for me ain't been no crystal stair." (2)

• "Don't you set down on the steps/'Cause you finds it's kinder hard." (15-16)

• "...sometimes goin' in the dark/Where there ain't been no light." (12-13)

• "It's had tacks in it" (3)