(WS) Friday, 4/4: "Hanging Fire" & "Summer of His 14th Year" Selection Test

Question

Answer the test questions below using the texts on the left. Be sure to answer all questions.

Stimulus for questions at positions: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
The following text applies to the questions at positions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Hanging Fire
I am fourteen
and my skin has betrayed me
the boy I cannot live without
still sucks his thumb
5 in secret
how come my knees are
always so ashy
what if I die
before morning
10 and momma's in the bedroom
with the door closed.

I have to learn how to dance
in time for the next party
my room is too small for me

15 suppose I die before graduation
they will sing sad melodies
but finally
tell the truth about me
There is nothing I want to do
20 and too much
that has to be done
and momma’s in the bedroom
with the door closed.

Nobody even stops to think
25 about my side of it
I should have been on Math Team
my marks were better than his
why do I have to be
the one
30 wearing braces
I have nothing to wear tomorrow
will I live long enough
to grow up
and momma’s in the bedroom
35 with the door closed.

Question at position 1
1

Multiple Choice
1 point



Question at position 1

In “Hanging Fire,” what does the poet imply by repeating the refrain "and momma’s in the bedroom / with the door closed" at the end of each stanza?

In “Hanging Fire,” what does the poet imply by repeating the refrain "and momma’s in the bedroom / with the door closed" at the end of each stanza?

The speaker thinks her mother is lonely.

The speaker wants to open the door and surprise her mother.

The speaker feels cut off from her mother and is lonely.

The speaker is proud that she can take care of herself without her mother.

Question at position 2
2

Multiple Choice
1 point



Question at position 2

In “Hanging Fire,” the poet uses language that makes the speaker sound like a teenager who is —

In “Hanging Fire,” the poet uses language that makes the speaker sound like a teenager who is —

giving a formal speech at school

discussing problems with a friend

singing a song to prepare for a talent show

describing personal experiences to a parent

Question at position 3
3

Multiple Choice
1 point



Question at position 3

In “Hanging Fire,” why does the poet rarely use punctuation when the narrator shifts thoughts?

In “Hanging Fire,” why does the poet rarely use punctuation when the narrator shifts thoughts?

To emphasize how overwhelmed the narrator feels

To suggest that each stanza is one complete thought

To prove that the narrator has difficulty focusing while talking

To show that conventional punctuation does not belong in poetry

Question at position 4
4

Multiple Choice
1 point



Question at position 4

In “Hanging Fire,” the poet describes the speaker’s fears and worries to give the reader insight into —

In “Hanging Fire,” the poet describes the speaker’s fears and worries to give the reader insight into —

common experiences many teens face on a daily basis

unique experiences only the mother can understand

moments the speaker would only discuss with a true friend

struggles that frustrate every parent of a teen

Question at position 5
5

Multiple Choice
1 point



Question at position 5

Which sentence best describes the effect of the short lines in “Hanging Fire”?

Which sentence best describes the effect of the short lines in “Hanging Fire”?

They highlight how young and immature the speaker is.

They illustrate the speaker’s lack of ability to express herself fully.

They show that the speaker prefers to keep the details of her life private.

They indicate the fleeting thoughts going through the speaker’s head each moment.

Stimulus for questions at positions: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
The following text applies to the questions at positions 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Summer of His Fourteenth Year
A deep, resonant voice answers when I call home.
My child is gone—
In his place is someone who resembles him,
only taller, size ten shoes.

5 Empty sneakers and dirty socks mark his passage down
vacant halls.
He wanders aimlessly, flexing against walls grown too narrow,
as tensely strung as the tennis racket he grips,
as easily punctured as the deflated hand of the batting glove—
his passions are flung across the hours.

10 He leaves a trail of teenage hunger—
half empty Coke cans, stale chips in an unclosed bag.
Intermittent impulses, quickly sated,
rarely fill his emptiness,
never end his searching.

15 Wailing guitars weave a cocoon
as he sits cross legged in a recess of his room,
his teeming emotions playing on a muted keyboard.

He tears at the seams
that hold us together
20 and sees in mother only ties to childhood
Choking him with nagging chores,
Cloying protection,
Closed doors.

Surliness is his knife
25 Cutting away the bonds.

Silence is his distance
Murmuring goodbye.

Question at position 6
6

Multiple Choice
1 point



Question at position 6

What does the poet imply about the speaker’s relationship with her son in “Summer of His Fourteenth Year”?

What does the poet imply about the speaker’s relationship with her son in “Summer of His Fourteenth Year”?

The speaker feels more distant from her son.

The speaker helps her son pursue his interests.

The speaker listens to her son as he describes his problems.

The speaker appreciates that her son demonstrates responsibility.

Question at position 7
7

Multiple Choice
1 point



Question at position 7

In “Summer of His Fourteenth Year,” the poet most likely uses varied line lengths in the poem to —

In “Summer of His Fourteenth Year,” the poet most likely uses varied line lengths in the poem to —

create a predictable rhythmical pattern

portray the changing moods of a teen

emphasize the bond between mother and son

illustrate how smooth the transition to adulthood is

Question at position 8
8

Multiple Choice
1 point



Question at position 8

Which statement best expresses the theme developed by lines 20–24 of “Summer of His Fourteenth Year”?

Which statement best expresses the theme developed by lines 20–24 of “Summer of His Fourteenth Year”?

Teens still rely on their mothers in times of need.

Teens feel constantly embarrassed by their mothers.

Teens sometimes want a closer connection to their mothers.

Teens try to grow up by pulling away from their mothers.

Question at position 9
9

Multiple Choice
1 point



Question at position 9

The two points of view in the poems emphasize the challenges of adolescence by —

The two points of view in the poems emphasize the challenges of adolescence by —

showing teens’ desire to gain more responsibility and independence

illustrating teens’ thought processes and emotional responses

showing how teens and parents struggle with the transition to adulthood

illustrating how parents feel frustrated by the behavior of their teens

Question at position 10
10

Categorization
1 point



Question at position 10
Contrast the structures of “Hanging Fire” and “Summer of His Fourteenth Year.”

Drag the statement with the box under the selection it describes.

Category
"Hanging Fire"
Category
"Summer of His Fourteenth Year"
Category
Both
Possible answers
Question at position 11
11

Multiple Choice
1 point



Question at position 11

This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.

Part A
Which theme is explored in both poems?

This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.

Part A
Which theme is explored in both poems?

Innocence is lost during adolescence.

Adolescence comes with many challenges.

Mothers experience high frustration with teens.

Parents have it easier than adolescents do.

Question at position 12
12

Multiple Answer
1 point



Question at position 12

Part B
Which two excerpts from the selections best support the answer to Part A?

Part B
Which two excerpts from the selections best support the answer to Part A?

There is nothing I want to do / and too much / that has to be done
(“Hanging Fire,” lines 19–21)

A deep, resonant voice answers when I call home. / My child is gone—
(“Summer of His Fourteenth Year,” lines 1–2)

Intermittent impulses, quickly sated, / rarely fill his emptiness, / never end his searching.
(“Summer of His Fourteenth Year,” lines 12–14)

Wailing guitars weave a cocoon / as he sits cross legged in a recess of his room,
(“Summer of His Fourteenth Year,” lines 15–16)

Answer 1

Here are the answers to the questions based on the texts "Hanging Fire" and "Summer of His Fourteenth Year":

Question at position 1:

1. The speaker feels cut off from her mother and is lonely.

Question at position 2: 2. discussing problems with a friend

Question at position 3: 3. To emphasize how overwhelmed the narrator feels

Question at position 4: 4. common experiences many teens face on a daily basis

Question at position 5: 5. They indicate the fleeting thoughts going through the speaker’s head each moment.

Question at position 6: 6. The speaker feels more distant from her son.

Question at position 7: 7. portray the changing moods of a teen

Question at position 8: 8. Teens try to grow up by pulling away from their mothers.

Question at position 9: 9. showing how teens and parents struggle with the transition to adulthood

Question at position 10: Category: “Hanging Fire”

• Short lines emphasizing fragmented thoughts.

Category: “Summer of His Fourteenth Year”

• Varied line lengths illustrating changing moods.

Category: Both

• Exploring the theme of adolescence.

Question at position 11: 11. Adolescence comes with many challenges.

Question at position 12: 12.

• A deep, resonant voice answers when I call home. / My child is gone— (“Summer of His Fourteenth Year,” lines 1–2)
• Intermittent impulses, quickly sated, / rarely fill his emptiness, / never end his searching. (“Summer of His Fourteenth Year,” lines 12–14)

Feel free to ask any follow-up questions!