Question
1
Still I Rise
by Maya Angelou
You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise. . .
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
.But still, like air, I'll rise.
"Still I Rise" from AND STILL I RISE: A BOOK OFPOEMS by Maya Angelou, copyright
© 1978 by Maya Angelou. Used by permission ofRandom House, an imprint and division of PenguinRandom House LLC. All rights reserved.
A)
Use the lines to answer the question.
What devices used by the poet support theinterpretation that the poem emphasizesoppression? Select the two correct answers.
(1 point)
imagery
anaphora
allusion
simile
rhetorical questions
Question
2
Still I Rise
by Maya Angelou
Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room. . . .
Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.
"Still I Rise" from AND STILL I RISE: A BOOK OFPOEMS by Maya Angelou, copyright
© 1978 by Maya Angelou. Used by permission ofRandom House, an imprint and division of PenguinRandom House LLC. All rights reserved.
A)
Use the lines to answer the question.
The imagery in these lines supports aninterpretation of what theme? Select the twocorrect answers.
(1 point)
oppression
empowerment
perseverance
difficulty
confidence
Question
3
Death of a Salesman
by Arthur Miller
BERNARD: Biff!
(He gets away from Happy.)
Listen,Biff, I heard Mr. Birnbaum say that if you don’t startstudyin’ math he’s gonna flunk you, and you won’tgraduate. I heard him!
WILLY: You better study with him, Biff. Go aheadnow.
BERNARD: I heard him!
BIFF: Oh, Pop, you didn’t see my sneakers!
(Heholds up a foot for Willy to look at.)
WILLY: Hey, that’s a beautiful job of printing!
BERNARD
(wiping his glasses)
: Just because heprinted University of Virginia on his sneakers doesn’tmean they’ve got to graduate him. Uncle Willy!
WILLY
(angrily)
: What’re you talking about? Withscholarships to three universities they’re gonna flunkhim?
BERNARD: But I heard Mr. Birnbaum say...
WILLY: Don’t be a pest, Bernard!
(To his boys.)
What an anemic!
BERNARD: Okay, I’m waiting for you in my house,Biff.
(Bernard goes off. The Lomans laugh.)
Excerpt(s) from DEATH OF A SALESMAN by ArthurMiller, copyright © 1949, renewed copyright © 1977by Arthur Miller. Used by permission of VikingBooks, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, adivision of Penguin Random House LLC. All rightsreserved.
A)
Use the passage to answer the question.
What is one way that Bernard’s reaction to thesituation could be analyzed when interpretingthis passage from the play?
(1 point)
He believes that Willy is not being strict
enough in disciplining Biff.
He lacks respect for Biff and for the other
members of the Loman family.
He understands the implications of what
will happen if Biff does poorly in school.
He does not understand the true
relationship between hard work and
success.
Question
4
Death of aSalesman
by Arthur Miller
BIFF: Where’d you go this time, Dad? Gee wewere lonesome for you.
WILLY
(pleased, puts an arm around each boyand they come down to the apron)
: Lonesome,heh?
BIFF: Missed you every minute.
WILLY: Don’t say? Tell you a secret, boys. Don’tbreathe it to a soul. Someday I’ll have my ownbusiness, and I’ll never have to leave home anymore.
HAPPY: Like Uncle Charley, heh?
WILLY: Bigger than Uncle Charley! BecauseCharley is not — liked. He’s liked, but he’s not —well liked.
BIFF: Where’d you go this time, Dad?
WILLY: Well, I got on the road, and I went north to
A)
Use the passage to answer the question.
How does the playwright’s use of flashbacksaffect interpretations of Willy Loman’s actionsin the play?
(1 point)
Flashbacks provide a window into Willy’s
opinions of his own achievements.
Flashbacks show what Willy believes it
means to be successful.
Flashbacks reveal the beliefs and values
he has instilled in his sons.
Flashbacks help develop Willy’s views of
other people in the play.
Question
5
Death of a Salesman
by Arthur Miller
BIFF: Where’d you go this time, Dad? Gee we werelonesome for you.
WILLY
(pleased, puts an arm around each boy andthey come down to the apron)
: Lonesome, heh?
BIFF: Missed you every minute.
WILLY: Don’t say? Tell you a secret, boys. Don’tbreathe it to a soul. Someday I’ll have my ownbusiness, and I’ll never have to leave home anymore.
HAPPY: Like Uncle Charley, heh?
WILLY: Bigger than Uncle Charley! Because Charleyis not — liked. He’s liked, but he’s not — well liked.
Excerpt(s) from DEATH OF A SALESMAN by ArthurMiller, copyright © 1949, renewed copyright © 1977by Arthur Miller. Used by permission of VikingBooks, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, adivision of Penguin Random House LLC. All rightsreserved.
A)
Use the passage to answer the question.
In the present, it is revealed that Willy is stillworking as a traveling salesman. Based onthis knowledge, what is one interpretation forwhy he is so secretive about starting abusiness?
(1 point)
He knows that the business he will start is
going to fail.
He would much rather continue working
as a salesman for the rest of his life.
He has no actual concrete plans for
starting a business.
He knows that his plans will lead to even
more time away from his family.
1 answer
Question 1
What devices used by the poet support the interpretation that the poem emphasizes oppression? Select the two correct answers.
Question 2
The imagery in these lines supports an interpretation of what theme? Select the two correct answers.
Question 3
What is one way that Bernard’s reaction to the situation could be analyzed when interpreting this passage from the play?
- He understands the implications of what will happen if Biff does poorly in school.
Question 4
How does the playwright’s use of flashbacks affect interpretations of Willy Loman’s actions in the play?
- Flashbacks show what Willy believes it means to be successful.
Question 5
In the present, it is revealed that Willy is still working as a traveling salesman. Based on this knowledge, what is one interpretation for why he is so secretive about starting a business?
- He has no actual concrete plans for starting a business.
