WorksheetsTheme for English B: Advanced
Total questions: 20
Worksheet time: 11mins
What is the main assignment the speaker receives in 'Theme for English B'?
To write a poem about Harlem
To interview his instructor
To write a paper about what is true for him
To research famous musicians
Which best describes the tone of the poem?
Angry and confrontational
Reflective and honest
Sarcastic and mocking
Joyful and celebratory
What does the speaker suggest about the relationship between himself and his instructor?
They have nothing in common
They can learn from each other
They are the same age
They dislike each other
Which of the following best represents a theme of the poem?
The importance of music in education
The struggle to fit in at college
The complexity of identity in a diverse society
The value of strict rules
Why does the speaker mention places like Winston-Salem and Durham?
To show he has traveled widely
To highlight his Southern roots and personal history
To compare city life to rural life
To criticize those cities
What does the speaker mean when he says, "I guess being colored doesn't make me not like the same things other folks like who are other races"?
He dislikes people of other races
He believes everyone is exactly the same
He recognizes both differences and similarities among people
He wants to change his identity
What is the significance of the speaker listing "Bessie, bop, or Bach"?
He only likes classical music
He enjoys a variety of music genres
He dislikes music
He wants to become a musician
How does the speaker feel about the assignment by the end of the poem?
He is confused and gives up
He is angry at his instructor
He finds value in exploring his identity
He refuses to complete it
What does the poem suggest about the American experience?
It is the same for everyone
It is shaped by both individual and shared experiences
It is only about race
It is unimportant to the speaker
One way the poem's structure (free verse) affects its meaning or tone is:
It allows for a more natural and conversational tone.
It enforces a strict rhyme scheme.
It limits the poet's expression.
It creates a predictable rhythm.
What does the speaker mean when he says, "You are white—yet a part of me, as I am a part of you"?
The speaker feels a sense of shared identity with the person, despite racial differences.
The speaker wants to separate from the person because of their race.
The speaker is confused about his own identity.
The speaker is criticizing the other person for being different.
Langston Hughes chose to write his poem in a conversational, casual style because:
he wanted to make the poem more relatable and accessible to readers.
he wanted to use complex language to impress critics.
he wanted to confuse the readers with difficult vocabulary.
he wanted to follow strict traditional poetic forms.
The speaker discusses his and his instructor's experiences as Americans. What does he mean by this?
They have both faced unique challenges as Americans.
They have never lived in America.
They dislike American culture.
They have only recently become Americans.
Hughes makes the poem relatable and accessible by:
using simple language and universal themes
employing complex metaphors and obscure references
focusing on historical events only
writing in a highly formal style
In the title, the word theme refers to —
a course that is offered at the college
an important idea or message in the poem
an attitude the writer has toward the speaker
the page the instructor asks the speaker to write
What is the speaker explaining in lines 29–38?
He is explaining why the assignment is a problem
He is explaining how he and the instructor are connected
He is explaining how different he is from the instructor
He is explaining why it is important to write a certain way
Select the two sentences that best describe themes developed in this poem
It takes time and experience to truly understand who we are
There is only one version of any truth
Race has little to do with opportunity
Being American is about having one joint identity
We can all learn something from one another
Which statement best summarizes the poem?
The speaker receives a good grade for a theme paper he writes for his English class.
The speaker thinks about the topic of the paper he was assigned for his English class.
The speaker feels that he has nothing in common with the instructor of his English class.
The speaker describes his doubts about the other students enrolled in his English class.
In line 18 of “Theme for English B,” what is the main effect of the speaker directly
addressing Harlem, as if it could hear him?
It helps convey his affection for Harlem.
It shows that he feels disconnected from Harlem.
It stresses the idea that Harlem is a part of New York City.
It helps suggest that he finds Harlem to be a dull and lifeless place.
Which two lines from “Theme for English B” most clearly convey the idea that the speaker
is like everyone else?
I am the only colored student in my class. (line 10)
It’s not easy to know what is true for you or me (line 16)
Well, I like to eat, sleep, drink, and be in love. (line 21)
I like to work, read, learn, and understand life. (line 22)
I like a pipe for a Christmas present, (line 23)
