The Political Power of Poetry with Amanda Gorman

What are the two initial questions the speaker asks in her poetry workshops?

• Whose shoulders do you stand on and what do you stand for?

• What are your favorite poems and poets?

• What is your name and where are you from?

• How do you define poetry and its purpose?

Why does the speaker use a personal mantra before her performances?

• To calm her nerves and gather strength

• To remember her lines

• To check the acoustics of the stage

• To impress the audience

What does the speaker refer to when she mentions 'honorary ancestors'?

• Historical figures who fought for freedom

• Family members who were writers

• Influential figures not related by blood but impactful

• Friends and mentors who support her poetry

According to the speaker, why is poetry considered political?

• Because it addresses societal and political issues

• Because it is written by politicians

• Because it is only about historical events

• Because it uses complex language

What metaphor does the speaker use to describe the potential of poets?

• Musicians playing in an orchestra

• Warriors in battle

• Builders constructing bridges

• Gardeners planting seeds

How does the speaker view the request to write non-political poetry?

• As a reasonable request

• As an impossible task

• As an unimportant criticism

• As a welcome challenge

What role do 'stories' play in poetry, according to the speaker?

• They make poems longer

• They serve no specific purpose

• They entertain the audience

• They convey political and social beliefs

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of who gets to tell stories?

• Because only certain stories are interesting

• To promote her own stories

• Because she enjoys stories from famous people only

• To highlight issues of access and privilege

What does the speaker hope her audience will understand about poetry's role in democracy?

• That it is only for educated people

• That it should be censored

• That it is unimportant

• That it is central to political questions

What does the speaker vow to do with her voice and her words?

• To remain silent

• To challenge and ask important questions

• To write only about personal experiences

• To avoid controversial topics