The Ballad of Birmingham

Which word has the same connotation as "clawed" as it is used in the poem (stanza 8)?

• pillaged

• damaged

• searched

• fought

Which lines support the idea that the mother starts to believe something is wrong?

• Lines 17-18

• Lines 19-20

• Lines 27-28

• Lines 29-30

Which best expresses the theme of the poem?

• Be careful of your surroundings.

• Cherish each day while you have it.

• Listen to your parents.

• Racism is everywhere.

Which line best develops the theme?

• "She has combed and brushed her night-dark hair, and bathed rose petal sweet/And drawn white gloves on her small brown hands, and white shoes on her feet."

• "For when she heard the explosion, her eyes grew wet and wild."

• "O here's the shoe my baby wore, but, baby, where are you?"

• "But that smile was the last smile to come upon her face."

Which theme is most prominent in "Ballad of Birmingham"?

• The innocence of youth

• The impact of violence

• The power of hope

• The importance of family

What historical event does "Ballad of Birmingham" reference?

• The signing of the Civil Rights Act

• The Montgomery Bus Boycott

• The Birmingham Church Bombing

• Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech

What is the effect of the poem's shift in tone from the beginning to the end?

• It creates a sense of unresolved tension.

• It emphasizes the tragedy of the church bombing.

• It highlights the resilience of the African American community.

• It distracts from the poem's historical context.

Which of the following best describes the mood at the beginning of "Ballad of Birmingham"?

• Hopeful

• Tense

• Joyful

• Anxious

Which poetic device is used in the title "Ballad of Birmingham"?

• Metaphor

• Alliteration

• Onomatopoeia

• Symbolism

What poetic device is primarily used in the line "Her eyes grew wet and wild" from "Ballad of Birmingham"?

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Personification

• Alliteration