At the Front of the Room

Part A: Read the following line from the poem:

"I speak, I speak," my steady song,

How does the repetition of this line help to develop the speaker’s view of themselves? (RL 6.6)

• It shows the speaker is unsure and nervous about speaking.

• It emphasizes the speaker’s confidence and control in front of the audience.

• It demonstrates that the speaker is trying to imitate someone else.

• It indicates that the speaker is rushing through their words without care.

Which line from the poem best supports the answer to Part A? (RL 6.1)

• “No shaky voice, no shrinking small,”

• “Their pencils pause, their heads all turn."

• “The spotlight on the floor is mine.”

• “For I was meant to speak, to guide.”

Part A: How does the phrase, “The rows of eyes can’t prove me wrong,” contribute to the central idea (theme) of the poem? (RL 6.5)

• It suggests the speaker feels judged and unsure in front of others.

• It reveals that the speaker feels empowered and confident in their role.

• It indicates that the audience is not paying attention.

• It emphasizes that the speaker is nervous about being evaluated.

Part B: Select the line from the poem that best supports the answer to Part A. (RL 6.1)

• “Confidence in every line,”

• “I speak, I speak,” my heart beats true,”

• "Their pencils pause, their heads all turn,”

• "The spotlight on the floor is mine.”

Part A: After analyzing the speaker’s growth in “At the Front of the Room,” which statement identifies the best possible theme? (RL 6.2)

• Tory learns that confidence grows when you face challenges and practice.

• Nervousness can never be overcome.

• Confidence comes from believing in yourself.

• Public speaking is always easy for everyone.

Part B: Select three answer choices that best support the answer to Part A. (RL 6.1)

• “No shaky voice, no shrinking small,”

• “I speak, I speak, my heart beats true,”

• “The rows of eyes can’t prove me wrong,”

• “The spotlight on the floor is mine,”

• “The rhythm builds with what they learn,”

 
Part A Part 1: How do the authors develop the topic of confidence using the character, Tory, from the story "Skating", and the speaker from the poem "At the Front of the Room"?

(RL 6.3)

Select the correct answer to complete each sentence.

The author of the story, "Skating", develops Tory to be

(a)   ​

• insecure
• cautious
• reckless
• confident

8. Part A Part 2: How do the authors develop the topic of confidence using the character, Tory, from the story "Skating", and the speaker from the poem "At the Front of the Room"? (RL 6.3)

…while the poet of the poem, "At the Front of the Room", develops the speaker to be ​ (a)  

• confident
• anxious
• shy
• eager

Part B Part 1:  Select one detail the passage that supports the answer choice from Part A Part 1 (Tory from Skating) RL 6.1

• “She had so hoped to impress the other kids and make new friends.”

• “She wasn’t afraid of falling. That wasn’t it at all.”

• “The other skaters glided gracefully across the ice, twirling and laughing.”

Part B Part 2:  Select one detail the passage that supports the answer choice from Part A Part 2 (The speaker from "At the Front of the Room") RL 6.1

• “No shaky voice, no shrinking small, / This classroom stage—I own it all.”

• “The rows of eyes can’t prove me wrong.”

• “Their pencils pause, their heads all turn, / The rhythm builds with what they learn.”