Oranges by Gary Soto

The poet decides to create a new stanza after line 43 to-

• show a lot of time has passed

• create suspense for what happened in the drugstore

• highlight the decision the boy made in the drugstore

• suggest that the boy regrets giving his orange to the saleswoman

Answer explanation

The new stanza after line 43 creates suspense about the events in the drugstore, leaving readers wanting to know more about what happened, which aligns with the choice to create suspense for what happened.

Read lines 25-27:

"I turned to the candies

Tiered like bleachers,"

The figurative language in these lines

• Lets the reader know there was a lot of candies

• shows the candies are not good to buy

• creates the imagery of rows of candies one on top of the other in the drugstore's shelves

• illustrates how difficult it is to choose one candy

Answer explanation

The phrase 'Tiered like bleachers' creates a vivid image of candies arranged in rows, similar to seating in a stadium, emphasizing their stacked presentation on the drugstore shelves.

The speaker creates a sense of warmth despite the December weather mainly by-

• describing how a porch light “burned yellow / Night and day” and an orange looked like “a fire” in his hands

• describing how a dog “barked” at him and the way a girl was “pulling / At her gloves”

• mentioning a saleslady in a “narrow aisle of goods” and “light” in the eyes of the girl

• describing “unwrapping the chocolate” for the girl and “peeling” his orange

Answer explanation

The speaker creates warmth by using vivid imagery, such as the porch light that 'burned yellow' and the orange that resembled 'a fire,' contrasting the cold December weather with comforting visuals.

How does the speaker most likely feel about the girl?

• He feels obligated to get her a gift.

• He wishes he were with his friends.

• He is concerned with his own thoughts.

• He enjoys spending time with her.

Answer explanation

The speaker likely enjoys spending time with the girl as shown when he smiles at her, lightly touches her, and buys her chocolate.

Which selection from the poem most strongly supports the inference that the narrator enjoys spending time with his date?

• “She came out pulling / At her gloves, face bright / With rouge.” (lines 13-15)

• “I smiled, / Touched her shoulder, and led / Her down the street,” (lines 15-17)

• “We / Entered, the tiny bell / Bringing a saleslady” (lines 20-23)

• “I peeled my orange / That was so bright against / The gray of December” (lines 52-54)

Answer explanation

The lines "I smiled, / Touched her shoulder, and led / Her down the street" indicate a warm, affectionate interaction, suggesting the narrator enjoys the date. This physical touch and smile reflect his positive feelings.

What can the reader infer when the boy places the orange on the counter?

• He wants the girl to notice how generous he is.

• He doesn't have enough money to purchase the chocolate bar.

• He has an extra orange and simply wants to share.

• He's aware the clerk loves fruit.

Answer explanation

The boy places the orange on the counter likely because he doesn't have enough money for the chocolate bar. This action suggests he is trying to make a purchase but lacks the necessary funds.

“Frost crackling beneath my steps, my breath before me, then gone…” is an example of:

• Imagery

• Metaphor

• Simile

• Personification

Answer explanation

The phrase "Frost crackling beneath my steps, my breath before me, then gone…" creates vivid sensory experiences, appealing to sight and sound, which is characteristic of imagery. It paints a picture in the reader's mind.

“I turned to the candies– Tiered like bleachers” is an example of:

• Metaphor

• Imagery

• Personification

• Simile

Answer explanation

The phrase "Tiered like bleachers" compares candies to bleachers using 'like', which is a key indicator of a simile. This figure of speech highlights the arrangement of candies in a way that evokes a visual image.

Which line(s) from the poem demonstrates the girl's happiness?

• "She came out pulling / At her gloves, face bright / With rouge." (lines 13-15)

• "Light in her eyes, a smile / Starting at the corners / Of her mouth." (lines 28-30)

• "Fog hanging like old / Coats between the trees." (lines 46-47)

• "I was making a fire in my hands." (lines 57)

Answer explanation

The lines "Light in her eyes, a smile / Starting at the corners / Of her mouth." (lines 28-30) clearly convey the girl's happiness through the imagery of light and a smile, indicating joy and positivity.