Assessment 4: New-Read Assessment 1: “Slam, Dunk, & Hook”

What is happening in this poem?

• The narrator of the poem describes a single game of basketball.

• The narrator of the poem describes the physically difficulties of basketball.

• The narrator of the poem describes the fun they had playing.

• The narrator of the poem describes the importance of basketball in their past.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

How does the narrator of the poem explain the players’ ability to play basketball?

• They exercise to get in shape.

• They have an excellent coach.

• It’s a result of something he can’t quite explain.

• They are magic.

Tags

CCSS.RL.1.6

CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

Directions: Read “Slam, Dunk, & Hook” by Yusef Komanyakaa. After reading, answer the following questions. 2. Part B Select the textual evidence that best supports the answer to Part A:

• a. “poised in midair / Like storybook sea monsters”

• b. “played nonstop all day”

• c. “Glistening with sweat / We rolled the ball”

• d. “We had moves we didn’t know / We had”

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

Label the following images with “M” for metaphor or “S” for simile:

• M

• “Muscles were a bright motor”

• S

• “poised in midair / Like storybook sea monsters”

• M

• “We were metaphysical when girls / Cheered”

• S

• “glide like a sparrow hawk”

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Part A “Sprung rhythm” refers to a way of writing poetry that attempts to imitate the way people normally speak. What does this phrase reveal about the way the players play basketball?

• They wrote poetry and played basketball.

• They had springs in their sneakers.

• They played basketball in an artful but also natural way.

• They jumped to make baskets all the time.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

Which phrase provides context for the correct answer to Part A?

• We’d corkscrew / Up & dunk balls that exploded

• when girls / Cheered on the sidelines.

• played nonstop all day, so hard

• We rolled the ball off / Our fingertips.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

“Mercury” is the Roman god of poetry and messages—he is thought to be the fastest of all the gods, and has wings on his feet. What does the reference to “Mercury’s / Insignia on our sneakers” show about the basketball players?

• The players are wearing sneakers with wings on them.

• The players are fast, strong and almost mythically good at playing basketball.

• The players are playing basketball in Rome.

• The players have sneakers that allow them to fly.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

Which phrase describes Sonny Boy’s reaction to his mother’s death?

• Double-flashing to the metal hoop / Nailed to our oak

• played nonstop all day, so hard / Our backboard splintered

• slapping a blackjack / Against an open palm

• glide like a sparrow hawk / Lay ups. Fast breaks

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

What does Sonny Boy’s reaction reveal about a theme of the poem?

• Basketball created a special place of safety and power for the players, even during hard times.

• Basketball was the only activity all the boys liked to do together.

• Basketball made the boys more attractive to girls because it kept them in shape.

• Basketball gave the boys special powers and abilities, like gods.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

How does basketball shape the players’ sense of themselves?

• Basketball increases the players’ physical strength.

• Basketball builds players’ confidence and provides them with a community.

• Basketball gave the players magical powers so nothing hurt them.

• Basketball allows the players to compete against each other to show who is the best.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2