Sympathy Paul Laurence Dunbar

According to the speaker in “Sympathy,” how does the caged bird feel?

• bright, happy, perfumed

• alarmed, shamed, fearful

• constrained, oppressed, imprisoned

• faint, clinging, ill

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

Which of the following BEST explains the title “Sympathy”?

• The speaker feels bad for the caged bird because of its injuries.

• The speaker also shares the caged bird’s desire for freedom.

• The speaker is critical of the caged bird’s reasons for singing.

• The speaker admires the caged bird’s courage.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

Which of the following BEST summarizes lines 10-11 in "Sympathy"?

• The bird stays in his cage because his injuries might cause him to faint.

• The bird stays on his perch because he is afraid of the wind.

• The bird must return to the perch when he would rather be on a swing.

• The bird has to stay in the cage when he would rather be perched on a swinging tree branch.

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CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

Lines 12-14 of “Sympathy” suggest that...

• the bird is so crippled it will never be able to enjoy freedom.

• the bird has not given up hope despite a lifetime of captivity.

• as the bird gets older, its desire for freedom increases. (

• the bird could enjoy its captivity if only it would stop fighting.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

Which of the following lines most closely parallels the meaning of lines 12-14 of “Sympathy”?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

What does the caged bird symbolize in the poem?

• Freedom

• Oppression

• Nature

• Happiness

• Dreams

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

What does the "cruel bars" metaphor refer to?

• Prison

• Nature

• Society's restrictions

• Educational system

• Workplace

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

What is the significance of the caged bird's prayer?

• It's a symbol of resignation

• A reflection on past joy

• A hope for change

• A statement of contentment

• A critique of society

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

Which of the following lines of "Caged Birdmost closely parallels the meaning of lines 12-14 of “Sympathy”?

• lines 1-2

• lines 15-18

• lines 23-24

• lines 35-38

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

"Sympathy" and "Caged Bird" both talk about the Black American struggle for freedom. Which figurative language element do they use to describe this in their poem?

• metaphor

• onomatopoeia

• alliteration

• hyperbole

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7