'Mother to Son' & To James

In the 'Mother to Son', the mother compares her life to a _____

• river

• road

• Staircase

• journey

The mother tells her son

• to be more carefree.

• to make more money.

• to not fall in love.

• not to give up.

The mother's tone is best described as

• harsh

• kind and firm

• fearful

• indifferent

The author says that 'Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.' Used in this poem, what does 'crystal' mean?

• transparent and slippery

• rough

• beautiful and dangerous

• clear and smooth

The 1st person POV helps the reader --

• understand the struggles faced by the mom

• empathize with the son

• reflect on why the son is struggling

• the mother and son's relationship

Which line from the poem reflects a lesson the speaker wants her son to learn?

• Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair

• Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair

• So boy, don’t you turn back

• I’se still climbin’

Which lines from the poem best suggest that the speaker is persistent?

• It’s had tacks in it,/And splinters,

• And boards torn up,/And places with no carpet on the floor-

• For I’se still goin’ honey,/I’se still climbin’,

• ‘Cause you finds it’s kinder hard./Don’t you fall now-

The extended metaphor of life being compared to a staircase helps the reader--

• feel sorry for the struggling mother.

• want a better life for the speaker’s son.

• understand that the speaker’s life has been a constant struggle.

• realize that the speaker feels as if her life will never get any better.

Who is the poem 'Mother to Son' written by?

• Idris Elba

• Langston Hughes

• Frederick Douglas

• Thomas Edison

Why do you think the author began and finished the piece with, 'Life for me ain't been no crystal stair'?

• To emphasize an important idea.

• To show the passage of time.

• To show that the author is forgetful.

• To describe the stair.