Hanging Fire

Which statement presents a main way in which “Hanging Fire” and “Translating Grandfather’s House” are similar in theme?

• Both poems focus on the absence of a caring mother.

• Both poems focus on the frustrations of a teenager’s life.

• Both poems focus on the fears that people have about the future.

• Both poems focus on the difference between imagination and reality.

The speaker of “Hanging Fire” begins by saying, “I am fourteen / and my skin has betrayed me.” What does the choice of the word betrayed most likely indicate about the personality of the speaker?

• She does not trust people.

• She feels that life wants to trouble her.

• She cannot understand why she has problems.

• She wishes that she were something other than human.

In “Hanging Fire,” what does the poet imply by including the refrain and momma’s in the bedroom / with the door closed at the end of each stanza?

• The speaker thinks her mother is lonely.

• The speaker wants to open the door and surprise her mother.

• The speaker feels cut off from her mother and is lonely.

In “Hanging Fire,” the poet uses the image of the closed door —

• to suggest that the mother is angry with her daughter

• as a symbol of the isolation the daughter feels

• as a metaphor for the sympathy the daughter has for her mother

• to suggest that the mother would help if she had more time

In “Hanging Fire,” the poet describes the speaker’s fears and worries to give the reader insight into —

• common experiences many teens face on a daily basis

• unique experiences only the mother can understand

• moments the speaker would only discuss with a true friend

• struggles that frustrate every parent of a teen

Which sentence best describes the effect of the short lines in “Hanging Fire”?

• They highlight how young and immature the speaker is.

• They illustrate the speaker’s lack of ability to express herself fully.

• They show that the speaker prefers to keep the details of her life private.

• They indicate the fleeting thoughts going through the speaker’s head each moment.

In “Hanging Fire,” the poet’s use of free verse makes the speaker sound like a teenager who is —

• giving a formal speech at school

• discussing problems with a friend

• singing a song to prepare for a talent show

• describing her personal experiences to a parent

  describing her personal experiences to a parent

What can be inferred about the speaker’s view of the mother in "Hanging Fire" through the use of the repeated phrase in each stanza?

• She is compassionate.

• She is attentive.

• She is unconcerned.

• She is not home.

Which statement presents a main way in which “Hanging Fire” and “Translating Grandfather’s House” are similar in theme?

• Both poems focus on the absence of a caring mother.

• Both poems focus on the frustrations of a teenager’s life.

• Both poems focus on the fears that people have about the future.

• Both poems focus on the difference between imagination and reality.

The speaker of “Hanging Fire” begins by saying, “I am fourteen / and my skin has betrayed me.” What does the choice of the word betrayed most likely indicate about the personality of the speaker?

• She does not trust people.

• She feels that life wants to trouble her.

• She cannot understand why she has problems.

• She wishes that she were something other than human.