Edge Level a Caged Bird

Select the two line combination that best describe the difference between the two birds.

• “...a bird that stalks”; and “...dares to claim the sky.”

• “his wings are clipped; and “his feet are tied”

• “and his tune is heard”; and “sings of freedom.”

• “the narrow cage” and “on the distant hill.”

What inference can you draw about the caged bird based upon the following lines from stanza 3: “The caged bird sings/with a fearful trill/of things unknown/but longed for still…”

• The caged bird is afraid of freedom

• The caged bird has not given up on being free

• The caged bird is unsure of why he is trapped

• The caged bird is jealous of the free bird

Part A: Which of the following best describes the theme of “Caged Bird”?

• Freedom is found through voice.

• It is better to wish for freedom than have it.

• No one should cage a bird.

• Only free birds can sing.

Part B: Select two lines that support your answer to Part A.

• “The caged bird sings” (line 15)

• “The free bird thinks of another breeze” (line 23)

• “so he opens his throat to sing.” (line 14)

• “his wings are clipped” (line 12)

• “and the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright lawn”(line 25)

What effect do the words stalks, cage, rage, clipped, and tied (in the second stanza) have on the tone of the poem?

• the caged bird is limited and angry yet hopeful.

• the caged bird as free and ready to claim what is his.

• the caged bird is free to do as he wishes in his cage

• the caged bird is proud to be kept in a cage.

Select which of the following is true about why the author uses the wind, a stream, the sun’s rays and sky to describe the free bird in the first stanza?

• The author is using nature to show the bird in its natural setting.

• The author is using elements that appear limitless to show how the free bird is not limited.

• The author is using nature to show how the free bird is limited by its surroundings.

• The author is using nature to show what the free bird doesn’t have.

What does the repetition of stanza 3 emphasize about the poem’s theme?

• The caged bird dreams of freedom.

• The only thing the caged bird has is its voice.

• The songs of caged bird are ignored.

• The caged bird is tied down by its situation.

The author uses which of the following text structure styles in this poem:

• The author alternates comparing and contrasting stanzas to show the difference between the birds

• The author reveals a conflict in one stanza and the solution in the next

• The author describes details that present feelings of being “trapped” or “free”

• The author establishes a chronological order of events to help the reader understand the poem’s meaning

Part A: What is the meaning of the phrase ”grave of dreams” as used in the passage?

• The caged bird is using the death of his dreams to motivate him to sing.

• The caged bird is dreaming of his own death as a bridge to freedom.

• Freedom is lost once dreams are no longer reachable.

• Freedom is found through the death of the free bird.

Part B: Select two phrases in the text that provide clues to the meaning.

• “...of things unknown but longed for still”

• “...and his tune is heard on the distant hill”

• “...and dares to claim the sky”

• “...sings with a fearful trill”

• "...thinks of another breeze"