Booker T

Why does the poet use the idiom stick your nose inside a book in line 7?

• To reveal Booker T.’s opinion of higher education

• To talk about the importance of learning chemistry

• To compel the reader to agree with Booker T.

• To show that Booker T. actually dislikes W.E.B.

“It seems to me” in line 17 is an understatement because —

• it calls attention to the speaker’s ideas

• it is not forceful and argumentative

• it is an imaginative and unusual device

• it shows the speaker is not sure of himself

The idiom missed the boat in line 18 is used to emphasize that —

• Booker T. believes civil rights activists have not done enough

• the poet agrees with the ideas of Booker T.

• the poet agrees with the ideas of W.E.B.

• Booker T. believes civil rights activists have misguided ideas

Which of these lines from the poem is an example of informal diction?

• Line 2

• Line 13

• Line 16

• Line 25

Which line from the poem contains imagery?

• Line 22

• Line 26

• Line 29

• Line 31

What does line 31 show about W.E.B.’s views?

• He holds contempt for Booker T.’s ideas.

• He feels Booker T.’s ideas deserve a chance to succeed.

• He thinks that everyone should be less vocal about civil rights.

• He believes that Booker T. might be right.

In the poem, Booker T. speaks informally and W.E.B. speaks formally because —

• the poet is trying to show that he does not approve of Booker T.

• the poet wants to prove that the kind of language leaders use is not important

• it suggests that Booker T. is a more realistic leader than W.E.B.

• it emphasizes the debate about practical skills and higher education

Which phrase spoken by W.E.B. best conveys the disdain he feels for Booker T.’s methods?

• the drive to seek (line 9)

• rejoice in skill of hand (line 13)

• what can property avail (line 25)

• try your little plan (line 31)

In which two ways do the poet’s choices of words and syntax give the reader a negative perception of Booker T. and a positive view of W.E.B.?

• The poet has Booker T. express his thoughts in overly folksy ways.

• The poet has W.E.B. angrily disagree with Booker T. on education.

• W.E.B. speaks with inspirational phrases such as dignity and justice.

• Both leaders discuss the importance of fighting for civil rights.

• Booker T. commands people to work, and save, and buy a house.

According to the selection, Booker T. and W.E.B. disagree on which of the following issues?

• Booker T. believes that formal education is more important than cultivating land.

• Booker T. believes that people must participate in the economy to achieve equality.

• W.E.B. believes that chemistry and Greek should be mandatory school subjects.

• W.E.B. believes that speaking softly will support the civil rights movement.