Quiz on "One Today" by Richard Blanco

"All of us are as vital as the one light we move through": What natural imagery is used here, and how does it emphasize interconnectedness?

• The imagery of light emphasizes the shared path and unity among individuals.

• The imagery of water emphasizes the fluidity and adaptability of life.

• The imagery of trees emphasizes growth and stability.

• The imagery of mountains emphasizes strength and resilience.

"Silver trucks heavy with oil or paper, bricks or milk": What is the purpose of this imagery of everyday objects in the poem?

• A) To show the monotony of life

• B) To highlight the importance of ordinary work

• C) To criticize industrialization

• D) To suggest wealth and prosperity

How does the imagery of the father’s hands contribute to the themes of labor and heritage?

• It highlights the physical toll of labor and the connection to ancestral work.

• It suggests the father's hands are delicate and unused to hard work.

• It implies the father is disconnected from his heritage.

• It indicates the father has a modern, technology-driven job.

"One ground. Our ground, rooting us to every stalk of corn, every head of wheat sown by sweat": What agricultural imagery does Blanco use, and how does it unify the diverse experiences of Americans?

• Blanco uses the imagery of corn and wheat to symbolize the shared labor and connection to the land among Americans.

• Blanco uses the imagery of mountains and rivers to symbolize the diverse landscapes of America.

• Blanco uses the imagery of urban cities to represent the modern American experience.

• Blanco uses the imagery of technology and innovation to highlight American progress.

"All of us gazing upward to the same skies": What does the imagery of the sky represent in the poem?

• A) Individual aspirations

• B) Shared dreams and hope

• C) The vastness of the universe

• D) None of the above

In “One Today,” Richard Blanco often pairs images of natural elements (like the sun and rivers) with images of human activity (like trucks and cities). What is the effect of this juxtaposition on the reader’s understanding of the poem’s central message?

• It highlights the contrast between nature and human activity.

• It emphasizes the harmony between nature and human life.

• It suggests that human activity is more important than nature.

• It shows that nature is unaffected by human actions.

What is the meaning of the word 'dismal'?

• Cheerful and bright

• Gloomy and depressing

• Exciting and thrilling

• Calm and peaceful

What is the meaning of the word 'elude'?

• To escape from or avoid

• To capture or seize

• To understand fully

• To confront directly

What is the meaning of the word 'frugal'?

• Spending money freely

• Being economical with resources

• Living in luxury

• Being wasteful

What is the meaning of the word 'hinder'?

• To assist or help

• To obstruct or delay

• To ignore or neglect

• To enhance or improve