WorksheetsGrade 7 English Reviewer
Total questions: 113
Worksheet time: 1hrs 28mins
The extended metaphor of life being compared to a staircase helps the reader--
feel sorry for the struggling mother.
want a better life for the speaker’s son.
understand that the speaker’s life has been a constant struggle.
realize that the speaker feels as if her life will never get any better.
Which lines from the poem best suggest that the speaker is persistent?
It’s had tacks in it,/And splinters,
And boards torn up,/And places with no carpet on the floor-
For I’se still goin’ honey,/I’se still climbin’,
‘Cause you finds it’s kinder hard./Don’t you fall now-
Which line from the poem reflects a lesson the speaker wants her son to learn?
Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair
And places with no carpet on the floor
So boy, don’t you turn back
I’se still climbin’
The 1st person POV helps the reader --
understand the struggles faced by the mom
empathize with the son
reflect on why the son is struggling
the mother and son's relationship
The mother says that “Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.” Used in this context, crystal means ..........
transparent and colorless
sharp and painful
beautiful and flawed
clear and smooth
The mother tells her son to do all of the following EXCEPT
not to turn corners
not to turn back
not to fall
not to set down
The adjective listed that best describes the mother’s character is
hopeless
threatening
cautious
courageous
Why do you think the author began and finished the piece with “Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair”?
To emphasize a key point
To make sure you understood the idea
To signify the passage of time
To highlight an unusual thought
What is the theme of this poem?
Sometimes a difficult life produces a defeated personality.
Weak people give up when faced with difficulties.
People should always work hard despite the obstacles found in life.
When children grow up, they do not need advice from their parents.
According to the poem, What is the mother worried her son may do?
She is worried her son will give up.
She is worried her son will fear difficulties.
She is worried her son will not obey her.
She is worried her son will always depend on her.
How can the mother's life be described?
Her life was boring.
Her life was adventurous.
Her life was very easy.
Her life was challenging.
1. To what does the speaker in “Mother to Son” compare her life experiences?
to a bare floor
to a wooden staircase
to a crystal staircase
to a dark passageway
How has the speaker in “Mother to Son” responded to her life experiences?
with an intense religious faith
with a hope for a happier future
with an appreciation for what she has
with a determination to keep going
In “Mother to Son,” what lesson about life is the mother trying to teach her son?
If you never give up, you will gain whatever you want in life.
Your life may be difficult, but never give up striving for your goals.
Do not envy the people who have an easy path in life.
No matter how hard you try, you will still not reach your goals.
Which statement best describes the speaker in “To James”?
a family member who has taught James how to race
friend James’s age who competes with James in races
a friend who knows less than James does about running races
a family member who wishes that he could race against James
Which statement best expresses the advice offered by the speaker in “To James”?
Set only one goal in life and ignore everything else.
Set goals in life, but do not forget to have fun.
Life is a race: You must focus and persist to win.
Life is a race: With luck, you will always win.
If an athlete flung herself into a race, which of the following would she most likely have done?
tripped when leaving the starting line
launched her body forward
advanced slowly in fear
started at a steady pace
What is most likely to happen to an object that is catapulted into the air?
The object will drop quickly to the ground.
The object will move forward with great force.
The object will break into small pieces.
The object will float like a balloon.
Suppose that a spectator at a race lurched as he watched the runners move toward the finish line. Which sentence would most clearly describe the spectator’s action?
He swayed happily from side to side.
He frowned to show his disappointment.
He moved forward suddenly and quickly.
He gave a loud, encouraging cheer.
Read lines 8-13 from “Mother to Son. What do these details reveal most clearly about the mother? Choose TWO answers.
She has moved forward even when the future has been unclear.
She has often wanted to give up her goals.
She has appreciated help given by other people.
She has been realistic about the challenges in her life.
She has always been confident about reaching her goals.
In “Mother to Son,” poet Langston Hughes has the mother use an old-fashioned African American dialect, or way of speaking. What is the most likely effect of that choice?
It makes the mother realistic and believable to readers.
It makes the mother’s words easier to understand.
It reveals the bond between the mother and her son.
It lets readers know that the mother’s life would be different today.
The poet Frank Horne wrote “To James” as a series of very short lines. What is the most likely effect of that choice?
The very short lines suggest the rhythm and excitement of a race.
The very short lines create more chances for repetition.
The very short lines make the poem easier to understand.
The very short lines show that two people are talking to each other.
At both the beginning and the end of “Mother to Son,” the mother says, “Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.” What does the crystal stair most clearly symbolize for the mother? Choose TWO answers.
It is an easy life of wealth and luxury.
It is a smooth, clear path to achieving one’s goals.
It is an unsafe path to follow to reach one’s goals.
It is a life of dedication to helping others less fortunate.
In “Mother to Son,” the mother describes a wooden staircase in these words. "It’s had tacks in it, And splinters, And boards torn up…. " (lines 3–5) What do the tacks, splinters, and torn-up boards most likely symbolize in the poem?
problems that the son has caused his mother
weaknesses that are common in wooden staircases
challenges that the mother’s lack of courage has caused her
obstacles that threatened to hold the mother back
In “To James” the speaker remembers how James “flew into the stretch” (line 19). What does flew suggest that run, a synonym, does not suggest as clearly?
Flew suggests that James was ahead of the other runners.
Flew suggests that James was having his best race ever.
Flew suggests that James was moving especially quickly.
d. Flew suggests that James was stumbling through the race.
Read lines 25-28 from “To James." Which of these synonyms for shout has the most clearly positive connotation of joy?
yell
cry
shriek
cheer
Frank Horne uses repetition in “To James,” as in this example. "Think only of the goal Run straight Run high Run hard" (lines 41–44) What does the repetition of run most clearly emphasize?
all of the runners’ desire to win the race
James’s hope that he will beat the other runners
the speaker’s excitement about watching the race
the speaker’s hope that James will do his best
What two character traits can be used to describe the narrator in “Mother to Son”?
Delated
Defeated
Determined
Optimistic
What THREE themes can be found in “Mother to Son”?
Hardship
Hope
Fear
Courage
The words “crystal stair” refer to Jacob’s stair from the old testament of the Bible. What literary device is this?
Assonance
Imagery
Allusion
Metaphor
The lines below are examples of what literary device? "Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair”, “And places with no carpet on the floor” and “Don’t you set down on the steps.”
Imagery
Allusions
Metaphor
Assonance
What is the word for the way someone speaks?
Conversation
Connotation
Dialect
Denotation
In “Mother to Son,” what is the mother’s greatest fear for her son?
She fears that he will never have an easy life.
She fears that hardships will make him give up.
She fears that he might become injured or killed.
She fears that lack of knowledge will hold him back.
Which statement best explains why the speaker in “To James” tells the boy about how he feels when watching him race?
The speaker wants the boy to pay more attention to him.
The speaker wants to correct mistakes the boy made in a recent race.
The speaker wants the boy to know how strongly he supports the young runner.
The speaker wants to remind the boy that, as an adult, he is a more skillful runner.
Which statement best describes the speaker’s point of view in “To James”?
The speaker believes that running races is good preparation for achieving goals in life.
The speaker believes that athletic skill is the most important quality for a person to have in life.
The speaker believes that the success of a runner depends completely on the quality of the coach
The speaker believes that winning races will make a runner successful in all areas of his or her life.
Read this passage from “Two Kinds.” Here, Auntie Lindo, Waverly’s mother, is speaking to the narrator’s mother about Waverly.
“She bring home too many trophy,” lamented Auntie Lindo that Sunday. “All day she play chess. All day I have no time do nothing but dust off her winnings.”
Which statements best describe what this passage reveals about the characters and their situation? Choose all that apply.
Auntie Lindo is concerned that Waverly has too few hobbies.
Auntie Lindo thinks it is fine to brag if she pretends to be complaining.
Auntie Lindo is jealous that the narrator also has trophies.
Auntie Lindo is tired of dusting all of Waverly’s chess trophies.
Auntie Lindo likes to show off Waverly’s accomplishments.
A In “Two Kinds,” the mother arranges for the daughter to have piano lessons. The daughter gives the following response.
“Why don’t you like me the way I am? I’m not a genius!”
Based on this quotation, choose what the daughter most likely believes.
If her mother wants her to develop a talent, then her mother must not value her as she is.
If her mother wants her to develop a talent, then her mother must realize that she is not a genius.
Because she is not a genius, she does not deserve her mother’s efforts to improve her.
Because she is not a genius, she must work even harder than other people do to succeed.
Which statement best sums up the theme, or message, of “Two Kinds”?
Determination is more important than genius.
A happy family requires obedient children.
Accepting oneself can be more important than success.
A parent’s expectations inspire a child’s achievements.
According to the selection from An Invisible Thread, what main effect does Maurice believe Laura has had on him?
She changed the direction of his life.
She taught him the true value of money.
She helped him get along with other people.
She taught him to value what he already had.
How does Laura mainly feel as she listens to Maurice’s toast in the selection from An Invisible Thread?
brave
foolish
confused
emotional
According to the selection from An Invisible Thread, in what main way did Maurice teach Laura about the gift of love?
by the example of his marriage
by giving Laura someone to love
by always remembering his mother
by showing what a child’s love is like
Read this excerpt from "A Simple Act."
The two continued sharing dinner every Monday, and a close bond formed between them. . . . Maurice became almost like the child Laura had always wanted. One day, she offered to make lunch for Maurice and leave it with her doorman for him to pick up on his way to school. He asked her if she could put the lunch in a brown paper bag, because then the other kids would know that someone cared about him.
Which phrases from the excerpt are most likely to have a strongly emotional effect? Choose three options.
sharing dinner
a close bond
like the child Laura had always wanted
offered to make lunch
know that someone cared about him
From which point of view is "Two Kinds" written?
first person, from the daughter’s point of view
first person, from the mother’s point of view
third person, from the daughter’s point of view
third person, from the mother’s point of view
In “Two Kinds,” which character trait do the daughter and mother share?
sensitivity
stubbornness
cheerfulness
peacefulness
How does Laura Schroff, the author and first-person narrator of the selection from An Invisible Thread, mainly share Maurice’s thoughts and feelings about their relationship?
by describing his actions at the dinner
by describing his appearance at the dinner
by providing the conversation that he and she had
by providing a direct quotation of the toast he made
Read this sentence from “Two Kinds.” Here, the narrator explains that she has continued to disappoint her mother.
In the years that followed, I failed her so many times, each time asserting my own will, my right to fall short of expectations.
What perspective does this comment reveal about the narrator?
She desperately wanted to overcome failure.
Failure became a way for her to express her independence.
Disappointing her mother was unavoidable but devastating
Her mother's expectations served as a warning to her.
Which of these characteristics of the selection from An Invisible Thread specifically show that it is written from the first-person point of view? Choose two options.
The author uses the pronoun I to refer to herself.
The author recounts events that really happened.
The author uses the pronoun he to refer to Maurice.
The author is involved in the events being recounted.
The author recounts events that happened some time ago
The poem compares LIFE to a...
(a)
target, aim, objective, purpose
goal
cinders
start
tape
ecstacy
joy, happiness, delight
goal
cinders
start
tape
ecstacy
ashes (cenizas)
goal
cinders
start
tape
ecstacy
the beginning of a race
strides
sinews
start
dash
spikes
a ribbon marking the end of the race
strides
sinews
tape
dash
spikes
a shoe with SHARP points for racing
strides
sinews
tape
dash
spikes
to rush or RUN FAST
strides
sinews
tape
dash
spikes
running with long steps
strides
sinews
tape
dash
spikes
tendons/muscles
strides
sinews
tape
dash
spikes
Do the words in RED form a dependent clause or independent clause?
Until Mr. Sanchez had his first cup of coffee, he got very angry if we didn't have our homework.
Dependent Clause
Independent Clause
Do the words in RED form a dependent clause or independent clause?
Until Mr. Sanchez had his first cup of coffee, he got very angry if we didn't have our homework.
Dependent Clause
Independent Clause
Do the words in RED form a dependent clause or independent clause?
While Bailey slept on the sofa in front of the TV, Samson, the family dog, gnawed on the leg of the coffee table.
Dependent Clause
Independent Clause
Do the words in RED form a dependent clause or independent clause?
While Bailey slept on the sofa in front of the TV, Samson, the family dog, gnawed on the leg of the coffee table.
Dependent Clause
Independent Clause
Do the words in RED form a dependent clause or independent clause?
Diane decided to plant tomatoes in the back of the yard where the sun blazed the longest during the day.
Dependent Clause
Independent Clause
Do the words in RED form a dependent clause or independent clause?
Diane decided to plant tomatoes in the back of the yard where the sun blazed the longest during the day.
Dependent Clause
Independent Clause
Do the words in RED form a dependent clause or independent clause?
Tanya did poorly on her history exam because Giselle, her classmate, insisted on gossiping during their study session instead of studying.
Dependent Clause
Independent Clause
Do the words in RED form a dependent clause or independent clause?
Tanya did poorly on her history exam because Giselle, her classmate, insisted on gossiping during their study session instead of studying.
Dependent Clause
Independent Clause
Do the words in RED form a dependent clause or independent clause?
Rhonda gasped when a six-foot snake slithered across the sidewalk.
Dependent Clause
Independent Clause
Do the words in RED form a dependent clause or independent clause?
Rhonda gasped when a six-foot snake slithered across the sidewalk.
Dependent Clause
Independent Clause
Do the words in RED form a dependent clause or independent clause?
After getting soaking wet on the log flume, Charles was kicking himself because he forgot to bring a change of clothes.
Dependent Clause
Independent Clause
Do the words in RED form a dependent clause or independent clause?
After getting soaking wet on the log flume, Charles was kicking himself because he forgot to bring a change of clothes.
Dependent Clause
Independent Clause
Do the words in RED form a dependent clause or independent clause?
After getting soaking wet on the log flume, Charles was kicking himself because he forgot to bring a change of clothes.
Dependent Clause
Independent Clause
Do the words in RED form a dependent clause or independent clause?
Students who want to enroll in the program must pass an admissions test first, so I need to study if I want to get accepted as well.
Dependent Clause
Independent Clause
Do the words in RED form a dependent clause or independent clause?
Students who want to enroll in the program must pass an admissions test first, so I need to study if I want to get accepted as well.
Dependent Clause
Independent Clause
Do the words in RED form a dependent clause or independent clause?
Christa woke up at 4:00 am in order to catch a flight to Florida, but she still missed it since there was construction on her way to the airport.
Dependent Clause
Independent Clause
Do the words in RED form a dependent clause or independent clause?
Christa woke up at 4:00 am in order to catch a flight to Florida, but she still missed it since there was construction on her way to the airport.
Dependent Clause
Independent Clause
Do the words in RED form a dependent clause or independent clause?
Christa woke up at 4:00 am in order to catch a flight to Florida, but she still missed it since there was construction on her way to the airport.
Dependent Clause
Independent Clause
Do the words in RED form a dependent clause or independent clause?
I have decided that I will either mow the lawn today, or I will plant flowers in the garden.
Dependent Clause
Independent Clause
Do the words in RED form a dependent clause or independent clause?
I have decided that I will either mow the lawn today, or I will plant flowers in the garden.
Dependent Clause
Independent Clause
Identify the dependent clause (subordinate clause) in each sentence.
The taxi driver found the restaurant on a street where Libby thought there wasn’t one.
The taxi driver found the restaurant on a street
where Libby thought there wasn’t one
Do the words in RED form a dependent clause or independent clause?
Tanya did poorly on her history exam because Giselle, her classmate, insisted on gossiping during their study session instead of studying.
Dependent Clause
Independent Clause
Identify the underlined clause in as either an independent or subordinate clause.
That building is old and drafty.
independent clause
dependent clause
Do the words in RED form a dependent clause or independent clause?
Rhonda gasped when a six-foot snake slithered across the sidewalk.
Dependent Clause
Independent Clause
Identify the underlined clause as either independent or subordinate.
We all enjoyed the dinner that Dad cooked for us.
Independent clause
Subordinate clause
Identify the subordinate clause in each sentence.
The trees move wildly, whenever the wind blows.
The trees move wildly
whenever the wind blows
Do the words in RED form a dependent clause or independent clause?
Tanya did poorly on her history exam because Giselle, her classmate, insisted on gossiping during their study session instead of studying.
Dependent Clause
Independent Clause
Juan finishes all his homework as soon as he gets home from school.
independent
subordinate/ dependent
Identify the subordinate/ dependent clause in each sentence.
Tom's teacher gave him a study guide so that he gets a high grade on the test.
Tom's teacher gave him a study guide
so that he gets a high grade on the test.
Identify the underlined clause in as either an independent or subordinate/ dependent clause.
Although she was better at music, she loved science.
Independent clause
Subordinate/ dependent clause
How will I know when it is time to take the barbecued tofu out of the oven?
independent
subordinate./ dependent
What is required of a complete sentence?
only a subject and a verb
a subject, a verb, and a complete thought
a verb and a coordinating conjunction
a subject
Which of these is a dependent clause?
even after chasing the cat
the dog sleeps a lot
the dogs sniffs along the fence
the dog watches the sheep
Identify the underlined clause as either an independent or dependent clause.
My mother loves to ski, while my father hates it.
Independent clause
dependent
Add an independent clause to the following clauses to complete the meaning.
Because they were hungry,
Add an independent clause to the following clauses to complete the meaning.
Since we studied all night, ............................................................... .
Add an independent clause to the following dependent one to complete the meaning.
When Jim and Daniel went to to the park, ............................................... .
Add an independent clause to the following dependent one to complete the meaning.
If he forgets his homework, .................................. .
Add an independent clause to the following dependent one to complete the meaning.
Since Shaina likes Mexican food, ............................ .
David broke the vase when he was six years old.
Independent Clause
Dependent Clause
