Punching the Air

Which of the following best explains the significance of the title "Punching the Air"?

• It signifies the protagonist's love for boxing.

• It represents the protagonist's fight against invisible forces of injustice.

• It indicates a sense of hopelessness and defeat.

• It is a reference to a specific event in the protagonist's life.

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CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RI.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.K.6

What theme is primarily explored through the narrative and poetic structure of "Punching the Air"?

• The power of friendship

• The struggle against societal expectations

• The impact of racial injustice

• The importance of family bonds

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CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

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CCSS.RL.9-10.9

What role does the setting play in reinforcing the theme of racial injustice in "Punching the Air"?

• It is irrelevant to the theme.

• It highlights the contrast between different social classes.

• It underscores the protagonist's isolation from society.

• It showcases the diversity of experiences within a community.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

How does Amal refer to his mother (what does he call her) throughout Punching the Air?

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CCSS.RL.8.10

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CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

True or False: Punching the Air is an exact retelling of Yusef Salaam's experience as one of the Central Park 5.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Although Punching the Air is influenced by Yusef Salaam's story, the plotline of Amal's story is imagined and not real.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RI.9-10.9

CCSS.RI.K.6

CCSS.RL.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

When people speak in "Punching the Air" the authors use _______ to indicate that it is dialogue.

• italics

• a different font

• bold

• all capital letters

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CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

What is the author's primary purpose in using a first-person narrative in "Punching the Air"?

• To provide an unbiased perspective on the events.

• To distance the reader from the protagonist.

• To immerse the reader in the protagonist's experiences and emotions.

• To confuse the reader about the truth of the situation.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.5.7

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.9

Which literary device is predominantly used in 'Punching the Air' to convey the protagonist's emotions?

• Metaphor

• Simile

• Personification

• Hyperbole

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 courtroom scenes in 'Punching the Air'?

• They provide comic relief.

• They highlight the flaws in the justice system.

• They are irrelevant to the main plot.

• They showcase the protagonist's legal knowledge.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.5.7

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.9

How does the use of poetry in 'Punching the Air' enhance the narrative?

• It adds a musical quality to the story.

• It distracts from the main plot.

• It provides deeper insight into the protagonist's thoughts.

• It makes the story more difficult to understand.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9