Benchmark Unit 4

What does paragraph 15 reveal about Esperanza’s feelings towards Miguel’s situation?

• She is hopeless about her future in America.

• She is embarrassed that her son is not more successful.

• She is angry that Miguel did not stand up to his boss.

• She is disappointed that Miguel is a second-class citizen.

Based on paragraph 14, what can the reader infer about Miguel?

• He misses living in Mexico.

• He is hopeful for a better life than he had in Mexico.

• He is angry that the men from Oklahoma offered to work for half the pay.

• He is furious that his boss hired the new group of men to work.

Which sentence from the text best shows Miguel’s perspective on life in America?

• “His voice was sharp but he continued eating, as if nothing were wrong.” (paragraph 5)

• “We must all work at something or we will all starve.” (paragraph 7)

• “They send people back to Mexico even if they don’t belong there, just for speaking up.” (paragraph 13)

• “At least here, I have a chance, however small, to become more than what I was.” (paragraph 14)

Read the sentences below from paragraph 9. “Esperanza’s eyes were on fire. She stamped out of the cabin, slamming the door, and walked past the mulberry and the chinaberry trees to the vineyard.” What does the phrase Esperanza’s eyes were on fire suggest about Esperanza?

• Her eyes are burning.

• She is filled with rage.

• Her eyes are sparkling.

• She is feeling puzzled.

What does the word grimace mean as used in paragraph 25?

• An expression used to show disgust.

• An expression used to show disappointment.

• A gesture that shows anger.

• A gesture meant to hurt one’s feelings.

How do the authors develop the theme of “overcoming inequality” in both passages?

• by showing how upset Esperanza was in response to Miguel’s new job

• by showing how the narrator of each story faced challenges

• by showing how Judy and Miguel were patient with the discrimination they faced

• by showing how the main characters stood up for themselves

How does the author develop the theme of “racism and inequality” in the poem “I, Too”?

• by showing how the speaker does not have the same rights as everyone else

• by showing how the speaker is proud of himself

• by showing the speaker’s negative feelings towards everyone else

• by showing the speaker’s hopeful feelings about the future

What do eating in the kitchen and having a seat at the table symbolize in the poem?

• being punished for being different

• being treated equally and with respect

• being treated poorly by slave owners

• standing up for what’s right

What is the tone of the poem?

• joyful

• hopeful

• anger

• sadness

What is the narrator's perspective?

• Esperanza lives in America during the Civil War and is struggling to survive.

• Esperanza struggles to survive in Mexico so she moves to the US and lives as a peasant during harsh conditions.

• 
  Esperanza moved from America to Mexico to escape the hardships of her home because her father died.

• Esperanza wins the lottery and celebrates.