Understanding Themes and Vocabulary in Poetry

Fill in the blank: The word 'diffuse' (verb) means to ________ over a wide area.

• spread

• gather

• shrink

• focus

Fill in the blank: Samson is a character in the Hebrew Bible who would lose his incredible strength if his ________ was cut.

• hair

• fingernail

• belt

• shoe

What is the meaning of the word 'deliberate' (adjective)?

• Done or said quickly without thinking

• Done or said in a way that is planned or intended; done or said on purpose

• Done or said by accident

• Done or said with confusion

Which of the following identifies a theme of the poem?

• As children grow up, their views of their mothers evolve and change

• The most important lessons that children can learn come from mothers.

• As children grow up they will, without a doubt, grow apart from their mothers.

• Children only come to truly understand their mothers when they become parents themselves.

Which section from the text best supports the answer to Part A?

• "the last time i was home / to see my mother we kissed / exchanged pleasantries" (Lines 1-3)

• "i remember the first time / i consciously saw her / we were living in a three room/apartment" (Lines 7-10)

• "mommy always sat in the dark / i don't know how i knew that but she did" (Lines 11-12)

• "her hair was three-quarters her height / which made me a strong believer in the samson myth" (Lines 22-23)

How does the speaker's view of her mother change as she grows older?

• When she is a child she views her mother as an almost mystical being, but when she is an adult she views her more realistically.

• When she is a child she views her mother as average, but when she is an adult she views her as a larger-than-life figure.

• When she is a child she views her mother with a sense of jealousy, but when she is an adult she views her with admiration and respect.

• When she is a child she views her mother negatively, but when she is an adult she views her with more understanding.

Which TWO details from the text best support the answer to Part A?

• "i'm sure i just hung there by the door / i remember thinking: what a beautiful lady" (Lines 25-26)

• "mommy always sat in the dark / i don't know how i knew that but she did" (Lines 11-12)

• "we must learn / to bear the pleasures / as we have borne the pains" (Lines 38-40)

• "i remember the first time i consciously saw her / we were living in a three room" (Lines 7-9)

• "the last time i was home / to see my mother we kissed / exchanged pleasantries / and unpleasantries" (Lines 1-4)

The author's inclusion of the poem within the poem (Lines 32-35) develops the theme of the text by:

• emphasizing the main message through repetition

• introducing a new character to the story

• shifting the setting to a different location

• providing a summary of the entire text

Growing up has influenced my views on my parents in which of the following ways?

• I understand them better now

• My views have not changed

• I am more critical of them

• I appreciate them less

According to the poem, what is depicted as making a family?

• Shared love and support

• Living in the same house

• Having the same last name

• Following family traditions