Question
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 —
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?
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 —
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”?
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”?
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 —
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”?
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 —
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?
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?
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)
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 —
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?
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 —
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”?
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”?
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 —
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”?
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 —
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?
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?
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)
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Here are the suggested answers to your questions based on the poems “Hanging Fire” and “Summer of His Fourteenth Year”:
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?**
- **The speaker feels cut off from her mother and is lonely.**
2. **In “Hanging Fire,” the poet uses language that makes the speaker sound like a teenager who is —**
- **discussing problems with a friend.**
3. **In “Hanging Fire,” why does the poet rarely use punctuation when the narrator shifts thoughts?**
- **To emphasize how overwhelmed the narrator feels.**
4. **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.**
5. **Which sentence best describes the effect of the short lines in “Hanging Fire”?**
- **They indicate the fleeting thoughts going through the speaker’s head each moment.**
---
6. **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.**
7. **In “Summer of His Fourteenth Year,” the poet most likely uses varied line lengths in the poem to —**
- **portray the changing moods of a teen.**
8. **Which statement best expresses the theme developed by lines 20–24 of “Summer of His Fourteenth Year”?**
- **Teens try to grow up by pulling away from their mothers.**
9. **The two points of view in the poems emphasize the challenges of adolescence by —**
- **showing how teens and parents struggle with the transition to adulthood.**
---
**For Question 10: Categorization for "Hanging Fire", "Summer of His Fourteenth Year", and Both:**
A possible categorization could look like this:
- **"Hanging Fire":** Short, repetitive lines that highlight anxiety and isolation.
- **"Summer of His Fourteenth Year":** Varied line lengths that reflect the complexity of emotions during adolescence.
- **Both:** Explore themes of adolescence and the complexities of relationships between teens and parents.
---
11. **Part A: Which theme is explored in both poems?**
- **Adolescence comes with many challenges.**
12. **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)**
- **Intermittent impulses, quickly sated, / rarely fill his emptiness, / never end his searching. (“Summer of His Fourteenth Year,” lines 12–14)**
Feel free to adjust any answers based on your own interpretations or classroom discussions!
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?**
- **The speaker feels cut off from her mother and is lonely.**
2. **In “Hanging Fire,” the poet uses language that makes the speaker sound like a teenager who is —**
- **discussing problems with a friend.**
3. **In “Hanging Fire,” why does the poet rarely use punctuation when the narrator shifts thoughts?**
- **To emphasize how overwhelmed the narrator feels.**
4. **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.**
5. **Which sentence best describes the effect of the short lines in “Hanging Fire”?**
- **They indicate the fleeting thoughts going through the speaker’s head each moment.**
---
6. **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.**
7. **In “Summer of His Fourteenth Year,” the poet most likely uses varied line lengths in the poem to —**
- **portray the changing moods of a teen.**
8. **Which statement best expresses the theme developed by lines 20–24 of “Summer of His Fourteenth Year”?**
- **Teens try to grow up by pulling away from their mothers.**
9. **The two points of view in the poems emphasize the challenges of adolescence by —**
- **showing how teens and parents struggle with the transition to adulthood.**
---
**For Question 10: Categorization for "Hanging Fire", "Summer of His Fourteenth Year", and Both:**
A possible categorization could look like this:
- **"Hanging Fire":** Short, repetitive lines that highlight anxiety and isolation.
- **"Summer of His Fourteenth Year":** Varied line lengths that reflect the complexity of emotions during adolescence.
- **Both:** Explore themes of adolescence and the complexities of relationships between teens and parents.
---
11. **Part A: Which theme is explored in both poems?**
- **Adolescence comes with many challenges.**
12. **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)**
- **Intermittent impulses, quickly sated, / rarely fill his emptiness, / never end his searching. (“Summer of His Fourteenth Year,” lines 12–14)**
Feel free to adjust any answers based on your own interpretations or classroom discussions!