House on Mango Street Four Skinny Trees

Which sentence best summarizes the excerpt?

• Esperanza vividly imagines herself as one of the skinny trees that resembles her in many ways.

• Esperanza compares herself to the four skinny trees and is as determined to persevere despite the obstacles posed by the poor neighborhood.

• Esperanza enjoys observing the trees that grow outside her window, and secretly wishes she could grow up just as strong as they are.

• Esperanza admires the four trees that grow in front of her house, and compares them to her own family.

The reader can infer that the four skinny trees represent-

• Esperanza's feelings of loneliness and insecurity

• the city's attitude of neglect towards the neighborhood

• Esperanza's wishes and dreams

• pillars of strength and encouragement for Esperanza

Throughout the selection Esperanza expresses a sense of-

• concern and compassion towards the trees

• annoyance and rage towards the trees

• respect and admiration for the trees

• resentment and anger towards the trees

The reader can infer that the trees teach Esperanza-

• to have confidence, resilience and determination to achieve her dreams

• how to use her imagination in times of despair

• how to appreciate the wonders of nature

• to be grateful for the life she presently has

Read the following sentence

Four skinny trees with skinny necks and pointy elbows like mine.

The author uses the comparison to help the reader understand-

• how Esperanza views the trees as a reflection of herself

• how malnourished Esperanza was

• that Esperanza had scrawny physical appearance

• that Esperanza has four sisters

Read the following sentence from the selection

They are the only ones who understand me. I am the only one that understands them.

The author uses personification in this sentences in order to help the reader understand that the trees-

• trigger emotional reactions in Esperanza and are a source of inspiration.

• produce imaginary connection between Esperanza and her family

• create a feeling of anger and rage towards her living conditions

• feel overlooked and unappreciated by the residents of the neighborhood