Oranges

The speaker puts the orange on the counter because-

• He does not have another nickel

• He knows the saleslady is fond of oranges

• The wants the girl to see how generous he is

• He knows it will look tempting

The imagery of the orange in the lines 50-55 is

• Sarcastic because the boy really wanted a chocolate, not an orange

• Strange because he still has the orange after he gave it to the saleslady

• Ironic because readers would not expect a twelve-year-old to enjoy eating fruit

• Symbolic because it represents the brightness of the boy’s mood

“Oranges” is a narrative poem because-

• It tells a story

• It uses free verse instead of rhymed schemes

• It conveys the speaker’s feelings

• It describes a time and place

Oranges most likely symbolize

• delicious fruit

• embarrassment

• love or passion

• uncertainty

The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B.

Part A What does the context suggest is the most likely meaning of tiered in these lines from “Oranges”?

I turned to the candies

Tiered like bleachers,

And asked what she wanted -

Light in her eyes, a smile

Starting at the corners

Of her mouth.

• arranged according to length

• lined up side by side, based on color

• arranged in rows one above the other

• presented in a variety of arrangements

In “Oranges,” what problem must the speaker solve?

• He cannot figure out the best way to meet a girl he likes.

• He does not like the girl but is forced to spend time with her

• He has trouble staying warm because he does not have a heavy coat.

• He does not have enough money to pay for the candy the girl chooses.

In “Oranges,” why does the speaker put one orange on the counter of the drugstore?

• He wants to throw it away because it isn't ripe.

• He wants to give it to the girl he brought to the store.

• He wants to use it to help pay for the candy the girl chooses.

• He wants to be friendly by giving the unfriendly saleslady a gift.

Part A Answer: The saleslady was understanding.

Part B When in “Oranges” do you learn this about the saleslady's character?

• when she comes down the aisle at the sound of the bell

• when her eyes meet the speaker’s eyes in a certain way

• when the girl chooses a piece of chocolate that costs a dime

• when the girl eats the chocolate the speaker has bought for her

Which sentence best explains how this description from “Oranges” contributes to the overall meaning of the poem?

• It emphasizes the role that the cold plays in the poem

• It suggests that the speaker has failed to impress the girl.

• It presents a plot twist that ends the story told in the poem.

• . It reflects the speaker's feelings of satisfaction and adoration.

Read these lines from “Oranges.” Then, choose the answer that gives the most likely definition of released, based on the context clues.

• helped

• let go of

• squeezed

• played with