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Worksheets"Hanging Fire" and "Summer of his 14th year"
Total questions: 14
Worksheet time: 42mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
Core
a)
1
b)
2
c)
3
d)
4
2.
1. In “Hanging Fire,” what does the poet imply by including the refrain and momma’s in the bedroom / with the door closed at the end of each stanza?
a)
The speaker thinks her mother is lonely.
b)
The speaker wants to open the door and surprise her mother.
c)
The speaker feels cut off from her mother and is lonely.
d)
The speaker is proud that she can take care of herself without her mother.
3.
2. In “Hanging Fire,” the poet’s use of free verse makes the speaker sound like a teenager
who is —
a)
giving a formal speech at school
b)
discussing problems with a friend
c)
singing a song to prepare for a talent show
d)
describing personal experiences to a parent
4.
3. In “Hanging Fire,” the poet uses the image of the closed door —
a)
to suggest that the mother is angry with her daughter
b)
as a symbol of the isolation the daughter feels
c)
as a metaphor for the sympathy the daughter has for her mother
d)
to suggest that the mother would help if she had more time
5.
4. In “Hanging Fire,” the poet describes the speaker’s fears and worries to give the reader
insight into —
a)
common experiences many teens face on a daily basis
b)
unique experiences only the mother can understand
c)
moments the speaker would only discuss with a true friend
d)
struggles that frustrate every parent of a teen
6.
5. Which sentence best describes the effect of the short lines in “Hanging Fire”?
a)
They highlight how young and immature the speaker is.
b)
They illustrate the speaker’s lack of ability to express herself fully.
c)
They show that the speaker prefers to keep the details of her life private.
d)
They indicate the fleeting thoughts going through the speaker’s head each moment.
7.
6. What does the poet imply about the speaker’s relationship with her son in “Summer of His Fourteenth Year”?
a)
The speaker feels more distant from her son.
b)
The speaker helps her son pursue his interests.
c)
The speaker listens to her son as he describes his problems.
d)
The speaker appreciates that her son demonstrates responsibility.
8.
7. In “Summer of His Fourteenth Year,” the poet most likely uses varied line lengths in the poem to —
a)
provide variety to interest a teen audience
b)
create a predictable rhythmical pattern
c)
portray the changing moods of a teen
d)
emphasize the bond between mother and son
9.
8. Which statement best expresses the theme developed by lines 20–24 of “Summer of His Fourteenth Year”?
a)
Teens still rely on their mothers in times of need.
b)
Teens feel constantly embarrassed by their mothers.
c)
Teens sometimes want a closer connection to their mothers.
d)
Teens try to grow up by pulling away from their mothers.
10.
9. The two points of view in the poems emphasize the challenges of adolescence by —
a)
showing teens’ desire to gain more responsibility and independence
b)
illustrating teens’ thought processes and emotional responses
c)
showing how teens and parents struggle with the transition to adulthood
d)
illustrating how parents feel frustrated by the behavior of their teens
11.
11. Which theme is explored in both poems?
a)
Innocence is lost during adolescence.
b)
Adolescence comes with many challenges.
c)
Mothers experience high frustration with teens.
d)
There is a stark contrast between childhood and adulthood.
12.
12. Which two excerpts from the selections best support the answer to question 11?
a)
suppose I die before graduation / they will sing sad melodies (“Hanging Fire,” lines 15–16)
b)
There is nothing I want to do / and too much / that has to be done (“Hanging Fire,” lines 19–21)
c)
A deep, resonant voice answers when I call home. / My child is gone— (“Summer of His Fourteenth Year,” lines 1–2)
d)
Intermittent impulses, quickly sated, / rarely fill his emptiness, / never end his searching. (“Summer of His Fourteenth Year,” lines 12–14)
e)
Wailing guitars weave a cocoon / as he sits cross legged in a recess of his room, (“Summer of His Fourteenth Year,” lines 15–16)
13.
Categorize the following
Lines are written in free verse.
Each stanza is just a few lines long.
Lines end abruptly to emphasize the sense of loss.
Each stanza is presented as one run-on thought.
All stanzas are roughly the same length.
All stanzas end with the same refrain.
"Hanging Fire"
BOTH
"Summer of his Fourteenth Year"
14.
Categorize the following
Structures adds to themes: changes teens experience, emotions as they pull away from parents
uneven line lengths + dramatic line breaks in poem help show emotions/ anxieties of teen yrs
refrain “momma’s in the bedroom / with the door closed” emphasizes feelings of isolation
author uses short lines and free verse to develop a teen girl’s conversational voice
final two stanzas consist of two lines + emphasize the separation of the mother and son
free verse+ varied line lengths show intense quickly changing moods + tension btwn mother+ son
2nd/3rd stanza consist 5 lines + describe the habits of the speaker’s son
"Hanging Fire"
BOTH
"Summer of his Fourteenth Year"
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