Question

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)

Answer 1

Sure! Here are the suggested answers for your questions based on the text excerpts provided:

**For Question 5**:
- The correct answer is: **They indicate the fleeting thoughts going through the speaker’s head each moment.**

**For Question 6**:
- The correct answer is: **The speaker feels more distant from her son.**

**For Question 7**:
- The correct answer is: **portray the changing moods of a teen.**

**For Question 8**:
- The correct answer is: **Teens try to grow up by pulling away from their mothers.**

**For Question 9**:
- The correct answer is: **showing how teens and parents struggle with the transition to adulthood.**

**For Question 10**:
- For the categorization of the structures of the poems:
- **"Hanging Fire"**:
- Short lines that reflect the speaker's fragmented thoughts and feelings.
- **"Summer of His Fourteenth Year"**:
- Varied line lengths that add to the complexity of emotions and thoughts.
- **Both**:
- Explore the themes of adolescence and the changing dynamics between parents and teens.

**For Question 11** (Part A):
- The correct answer is: **Adolescence comes with many challenges.**

**For Question 12** (Part B):
- The two excerpts that best support the answer to Part A are:
- **“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)

These answers should help you analyze and discuss the poems effectively!