Brown Girl Dreaming

Read the excerpt from the poem Gifted.

“I am not gifted. When I read, the words twist

twirl across the page.” (lines 12-13)

How does the alliteration best contribute to meaning in the poem Gifted?

• it showcases the author’s resentment towards those smarter than her

• it serves as a comparison between the education the author received and the education her sister received

• it reinforces the idea that the author is far less brilliant than her sister

• it emphasizes all the author had to overcome to publish a poem

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.RL.5.5

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

Read the last stanza of the poem Gifted (lines 16-19).

“I want to catch words one day. I want to hold them.

then blow gently,

watch them float

right out of my hands.” (lines 16-19)

How does the author’s use of personification contribute to the tone of the poem Gifted?

• It creates a tone of competition and resentment as the poet longs to be smarter than her sister.

• It shifts the tone of the poem from one of sadness to one of longing.

• It showcases how imaginative the poet is which creates a tone of wonder.

• It emphasizes the poet’s dislike for her sister which contributes to an angry tone.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.5

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

Read the metaphor from the poem uncle robert.

“His feet are magic.” (line 34)

How does the use of figurative language contribute to the overall meaning of the poem uncle robert?

• it emphasizes the joy Uncle Robert’s arrival has made the family feel

• it showcases the difference between life back home and life in the city

• it reinforces the idea that the family was better off before they moved to New York City

• it shows the bond between the author and her siblings

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.RL.5.5

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.5

Read the excerpt from the poem gifted.

“I am not gifted. When I read, the words twist

twirl across the page.

When they settle, it is too late.” (lines 12-15)

Which word has the same meaning as the word settle as it is used in the poem?

• to pay a debt

• to come to an agreement

• to become or make calmer or quieter

• to make a permanent home

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.4

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

Read the excerpt from the poem uncle robert.

“Robert opens his hand to reveal a pair of silver earrings.” (line 15)

Based on the surrounding context, what is most likely the meaning of the word reveal as it is used in the poem?

• to hide

• to show off

• to mask

• to expose

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.4

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

Which statement best details the difference of perspective between the narrator and her sister in the poem Sometimes?

• The narrator is embarrassed that her father left so she makes up imaginary tales, while the narrator’s sister has a more realistic and mature perception of her father leaving.

• The narrator’s perception is that not having a dad is normal because many of the neighborhood kids do not have one while the narrator’s sister is embarrassed by it.

• The narrator is happy to not have a dad due to her father’s behavior while the narrator’s sister misses her father terribly.

• The narrator wishes her father would return while the narrator’s sister wishes her mother would remarry.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

Read the excerpt from the poem uncle robert.

“In my head

All kinds of people are doing all kinds of things.

I want to tell him this, that

The world we’re living in right here in Brownsville isn’t

The only place.” (lines 26-30)

How does the use of first-person narration influence the excerpt from uncle robert

• The use of first-person point of view allows the narrator to describe how all characters are feeling internally.

• The use of first-person point of view allows the narrator to share her internal thoughts.

• The use of first-person narration creates a tone of tension.

• The use of first-person narration helps the narrator compare and contrast Brownsville to their new home.

Tags

CCSS.RL.1.6

CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6