Last Dance/The Tree

Use Last Dance to answer the following question. What can the reader infer about the narrator based on paragraph 7 of the story “Last Dance”?

• She is angry that Becca has spent the last month busy with friends.

• She wonders if her relationship with Becca will change after the move.

• She thinks that Becca is happy about leaving home to go to college.

• She fears that the nightly tradition is no longer important to Becca.

Use Last Dance and The Tree to answer the following question. In what way is the narrator in the story “Last Dance” UNLIKE the speaker of the poem “The Tree”?

• The narrator spends most of her time alone, but the speaker is surrounded by others.

• The narrator has a lot of time to sit and think, but the speaker is too busy to take time for reflection.

• The narrator knows her sister has not permanently left home yet, but the speaker sees that the tree is already gone.

• The narrator has spent her whole life with her sister, but the speaker has only lived by the tree for a short amount of time.

Use Last Dance to answer the following question. What does the word reminisce mean in paragraph 11 of the story "Last Dance."

• To Remember past events

• To Have Doubts

• To Judge Someone's actions

• To resolve an issue

Use Last Dance to answer the following question. Which sentence from the story “Last Dance” best conveys the theme?

• We took turns each night picking which song to dance to, and no matter what had gone on that day or how mad we would be at each other, we would dance. (paragraph 1)

• A few minutes in time-out had not been enough for us to stop being angry at each other, so before bedtime our dad took us to the living room and turned on his favorite song. (paragraph 2)

• Some hours passed, and I began to get ready for bed, giving up on the notion that a last dance party would be happening. (paragraph 120

• I basked in the bittersweet, realizing that these were the moments to cherish. (paragraph 20

Use The Tree to answer the following question. How does the author’s use of language in lines 14 through 16 contribute to the mood of the poem “The Tree”?

• By explaining that the speaker is surprised by feelings of disappointment

• By highlighting how the speaker is frustrated with the current situation.

• By suggesting that the speaker is uncertain about what will happen next

• By showing that the speaker is experiencing a sense of abandonment

Use The Tree to answer the following question. Based on lines 10 and 11 of the poem “The Tree,” what can the reader infer about the speaker?

• The speaker pays little attention to the nearby environment.

• The speaker has suddenly become mindful of the tree.

• The speaker prefers to sleep when it is completely silent.

• The speaker fears the tree has accidentally been cut down

Use Last Dance and The Tree to answer the following question. Which idea do BOTH the story “Last Dance” and the poem “The Tree” emphasize?

• A need for help

• A fascination with time

• A noticeable loss

• A longing for something new

Use Last Dance and The Tree to answer the following question. What is a theme that is present in BOTH the story “Last Dance” and the poem "The Tree".

• Have the courage to live life to its fullest.

• Always be prepared to confide in loved ones.

• Have patience when striving to reach a goal.

• Never take for granted the small wonders of daily life.

Use Last Dance and The Tree to answer the following question. One major DIFFERENCE between the story “Last Dance” and the poem “The Tree” is that only the story ends with a sense of

• adventure

• fullfillment

• sympathy

• concern

In what way is the narrator in the story “Last Dance” UNLIKE the speaker of the poem “The Tree”?

• The narrator spends most of her time alone, but the speaker is

  surrounded by others.

• The narrator has a lot of time to sit and think, but the speaker is

  too busy to take time for reflection.

• The narrator knows her sister has not permanently left home

  yet, but the speaker sees that the tree is already gone.

• The narrator has spent her whole life with her sister, but the

  speaker has only lived by the tree for a short amount of time.