Poem

Question 1 (DOK 3 – RL.8.2 Theme)
Which statement BEST expresses a central theme of the poem?

• A. High school is a challenging experience that shapes people.
  

•  B. Invisible connections among people can create strength and unity.
  

•  C. Students must learn how to handle both academic and social pressure.
  

•  D. Friendships often fade over time but leave lasting memories.

Question 2 (DOK 3 – RL.8.4 Word Meaning & Connotation)
What does the “thread” in the poem most likely symbolize?

• A. The physical pathways students travel at school

•  B. The routines and responsibilities of daily life
  

• C. The emotional and social bonds between people
  

•  D. The knowledge students gain through education

  
  

Question 3 (DOK 4 – RL.8.5 Structure & Meaning)
How does the structure of the poem contribute to its meaning?

• A. The consistent rhyme and rhythm suggest that students’ lives are predictable.
  

• B. The use of short stanzas helps create suspense and urgency.
  

•  C. The regular stanza structure mirrors the steady presence of unseen connections.
  

•  D. The scattered form symbolizes the chaos of school life.

  
  

Question 4 (DOK 4 – RL.8.3 Character & Relationship Development)
What can the reader infer about the speaker’s relationship with others?

• A. The speaker feels isolated but hopes to make friends in the future.
  

•  B. The speaker recognizes deep, meaningful connections with others, even if they aren’t always visible.
  

•  C. The speaker is frustrated with their classmates and wants to move on.
  

•  D. The speaker struggles to find their identity in a large, uncaring community.

  
  

Question 5 (DOK 3 – RL.8.6 Point of View)
How does the speaker’s point of view shape the poem’s message?

• A. It shows an adult looking back at youth with regret.
  

•  B. It highlights a teacher’s concern about student well-being.
  

•  C. It offers a thoughtful, reflective perspective on shared experiences.
  

• D. It reveals a cynical view of relationships in school settings.

Question 6 (DOK 3 – RL.8.1 Textual Evidence & Inference)
Which lines from the poem BEST support the idea that emotional experiences connect people in the school community?

•  A. "Between the bells and echoed calls, / There moves a thread, both thin and wide,"
  

• B. "It weaves through whispered lunchtime talks, / And shadows cast on concrete walks."
  

•  C. "It winds through lockers, books, and fears, / Collecting laughter, notes, and tears."

•  D. "Though no one teaches how it's spun, / Its pattern grows with everyone."
  

Question 7 (DOK 4 – RL.8.9 Comparing Ideas Across Texts)
If paired with a nonfiction article about the science of social connection, how would the poem’s message MOST LIKELY complement the article’s ideas?

•  A. It would suggest that social bonds are only important during school years.
  

•  B. It would illustrate how academic settings discourage authentic connection.
  

• C. It would symbolically reinforce the article’s claim that human connection has lasting mental and emotional effects.
  

• D. It would contradict the article by emphasizing the mystery of emotional connection rather than its biological basis.
  

Question 8 (DOK 3 – RL.8.4 Figurative Language)
What is the effect of using the extended metaphor of a "thread" throughout the poem?

•  A. It emphasizes how fragile student emotions can be under pressure.

•  B. It creates a sense of mystery and detachment from others.
  

• C. It illustrates the idea that relationships are complex but unnoticed forces that shape our lives.
  

•  D. It shows how students can become tangled in misunderstandings.

Question 9 (DOK 4 – RL.8.2 Theme & Development Over Time)
How does the poet develop the theme of unity over the course of the poem?

•  A. By describing specific events that students experience in the school day
  

• B. By contrasting the visible aspects of school life with the invisible emotional ties that remain
  

• C. By using multiple speakers to reflect on shared experiences
  

•  D. By repeating phrases about loneliness to show the absence of connection
  

Question 10 (DOK 4 – RL.8.5 Structural Impact & Interpretation)
How does the final stanza function within the overall structure of the poem?

• A. It shifts the tone from reflective to humorous to provide contrast.
  

• B. It summarizes the speaker’s central message and extends it beyond the school setting.
  

•  C. It introduces a new character to shift the focus away from the speaker.
  

• D. It challenges the earlier stanzas by questioning the value of connection.