The inference that can be made about Momma based on her action in this passage is that she believes she is equal to Mrs. Flowers. This is indicated by her insistence on calling Mrs. Flowers "Sister Flowers," which suggests a desire for camaraderie or fellowship despite the lack of a formal or familiar relationship. The narrator's feeling of shame further highlights the perceived disparity between Mrs. Flowers and Momma, suggesting that Momma's use of "Sister" might not align with her actual status or relationship with Mrs. Flowers.
Highlight the detail that reveals one of Momma’s actions.
Mrs. Flowers didn't belong to our church, nor was she Momma's familiar. Why on earth did she insist on calling her Sister Flowers? Shame made me want to hide my face. Mrs. Flowers deserved better than to be called Sister.
—I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,
Maya Angelou
What inference can be made about Momma based on her action in this passage?
She wishes Mrs. Flowers went to her church.
She dislikes Mrs. Flowers.
She believes she is equal to Mrs. Flowers.
She hopes she can be like Mrs. Flowers.
11 answers
Then her large hands were at my neck, opening the button loops. I was terrified. What was happening?
"Take it off, Sister." She had her hands on the hem of the dress.
"I don't need to see the inside, Mrs. Henderson, I can tell . . ." But the dress was over my head and my arms were stuck in the sleeves. Momma said, "That'll do. See here, Sister Flowers, I French-seams around the armholes." Through the cloth film, I saw the shadow approach. "That makes it last longer. Children these days would bust out of sheet-metal clothes. They so rough."
"That is a very good job, Mrs. Henderson. You should be proud. You can put your dress back on, Marguerite."
—I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,
Maya Angelou
Read the passage, then complete the statements.
Momma makes Marguerite
.
Momma does this because she wants to
.
One inference the reader can make about Momma’s personality traits based on this action is that she is
.
"Take it off, Sister." She had her hands on the hem of the dress.
"I don't need to see the inside, Mrs. Henderson, I can tell . . ." But the dress was over my head and my arms were stuck in the sleeves. Momma said, "That'll do. See here, Sister Flowers, I French-seams around the armholes." Through the cloth film, I saw the shadow approach. "That makes it last longer. Children these days would bust out of sheet-metal clothes. They so rough."
"That is a very good job, Mrs. Henderson. You should be proud. You can put your dress back on, Marguerite."
—I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,
Maya Angelou
Read the passage, then complete the statements.
Momma makes Marguerite
.
Momma does this because she wants to
.
One inference the reader can make about Momma’s personality traits based on this action is that she is
.
Momma makes Marguerite take off her dress so that Mrs. Flowers can examine the craftsmanship.
Momma does this because she wants to show Mrs. Flowers the quality of her sewing and take pride in her work.
One inference the reader can make about Momma’s personality traits based on this action is that she is proud of her skills and values craftsmanship, indicating a strong sense of self-worth and dedication to her craft.
Read the passage, then complete the statements.
Momma makes Marguerite
✔ take off her dress
.
Momma does this because she wants to
✔ impress Mrs. Flowers
.
One inference the reader can make about Momma’s personality traits based on this action is that she is
✔ proud
.
Read the passage, and highlight the words spoken by Mrs. Flowers.
"I don't need to see the inside, Mrs. Henderson, I can tell . . ." But the dress was over my head and my arms were stuck in the sleeves. Momma said, "That'll do. See here, Sister Flowers, I French-seams around the armholes." Through the cloth film, I saw the shadow approach. "That makes it last longer. Children these days would bust out of sheet-metal clothes. They so rough."
"That is a very good job, Mrs. Henderson. You should be proud. You can put your dress back on, Marguerite."
—I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,
Maya Angelou
What inference can be made about Mrs. Flowers based on what she says to Mrs. Henderson?
Mrs. Flowers is aware of how other people feel.
Mrs. Flowers is not impressed by Mrs. Henderson’s work.
Mrs. Flowers is interested in learning how to sew.
Mrs. Flowers is jealous when other people are proud.
Momma makes Marguerite
✔ take off her dress
.
Momma does this because she wants to
✔ impress Mrs. Flowers
.
One inference the reader can make about Momma’s personality traits based on this action is that she is
✔ proud
.
Read the passage, and highlight the words spoken by Mrs. Flowers.
"I don't need to see the inside, Mrs. Henderson, I can tell . . ." But the dress was over my head and my arms were stuck in the sleeves. Momma said, "That'll do. See here, Sister Flowers, I French-seams around the armholes." Through the cloth film, I saw the shadow approach. "That makes it last longer. Children these days would bust out of sheet-metal clothes. They so rough."
"That is a very good job, Mrs. Henderson. You should be proud. You can put your dress back on, Marguerite."
—I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,
Maya Angelou
What inference can be made about Mrs. Flowers based on what she says to Mrs. Henderson?
Mrs. Flowers is aware of how other people feel.
Mrs. Flowers is not impressed by Mrs. Henderson’s work.
Mrs. Flowers is interested in learning how to sew.
Mrs. Flowers is jealous when other people are proud.
The inference that can be made about Mrs. Flowers based on what she says to Mrs. Henderson is that Mrs. Flowers is aware of how other people feel. This is indicated by her encouraging words, "That is a very good job, Mrs. Henderson. You should be proud," which show her understanding and acknowledgment of Mrs. Henderson's efforts and feelings about her work.
"Now no one is going to make you talk – possibly no one can. But bear in mind, language is man's way of communicating with his fellow man and it is language alone which separates him from the lower animals." That was a totally new idea to me, and I would need time to think about it.
"Your grandmother says you read a lot. Every chance you get. That's good, but not good enough. Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with the shades of deeper meaning."
—I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,
Maya Angelou
Based on the details in the passage, what can be inferred about Mrs. Flowers’ personality? Check all that apply.
She values speaking up for oneself.
She is concerned about others.
She is indifferent to those who have less.
She believes that animals are unimportant.
She has high expectations of others.
"Your grandmother says you read a lot. Every chance you get. That's good, but not good enough. Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with the shades of deeper meaning."
—I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,
Maya Angelou
Based on the details in the passage, what can be inferred about Mrs. Flowers’ personality? Check all that apply.
She values speaking up for oneself.
She is concerned about others.
She is indifferent to those who have less.
She believes that animals are unimportant.
She has high expectations of others.
Based on the details in the passage, the following inferences can be made about Mrs. Flowers’ personality:
- She values speaking up for oneself. (Her emphasis on language and communication suggests that she believes in the importance of expressing oneself.)
- She is concerned about others. (Her discussion about language indicates that she cares about Marguerite's ability to communicate and connect with others.)
- She has high expectations of others. (She points out that reading is good but not enough, suggesting she expects more from Marguerite in terms of understanding and using language meaningfully.)
The other options, "She is indifferent to those who have less" and "She believes that animals are unimportant," do not align with the information presented in the passage.
What were some of Maya Angelou’s purposes in writing I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings? Check all that apply.
to tell about her childhood
to prompt readers to think about what growing up as an African American girl in poverty was like
to convince readers to move to Stamps, Arkansas
to explain why it is important for people to own general stores
to honor an important woman in her life
to tell about her childhood
to prompt readers to think about what growing up as an African American girl in poverty was like
to convince readers to move to Stamps, Arkansas
to explain why it is important for people to own general stores
to honor an important woman in her life
Some of Maya Angelou’s purposes in writing I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings include:
- to tell about her childhood (The memoir reflects on her early experiences and formative years.)
- to prompt readers to think about what growing up as an African American girl in poverty was like (Angelou shares her experiences to illustrate the challenges faced by African Americans, particularly women, during that time.)
- to honor an important woman in her life (The book pays tribute to figures like her grandmother and Mrs. Flowers, showcasing their impact on her development.)
The other options, "to convince readers to move to Stamps, Arkansas" and "to explain why it is important for people to own general stores," are not central purposes of the memoir.
Read the passage and highlight details that help the reader understand the author’s viewpoint.
On that first day, I ran down the hill and into the road (few cars ever came along it) and had the good sense to stop running before I reached the Store.
I was liked, and what a difference it made. I was respected not as Mrs. Henderson's grandchild or Bailey's sister but for just being Marguerite Johnson.
—I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,
Maya Angelou
Read the passage. What is Angelou’s viewpoint toward the time she spent with Mrs. Flowers?
It was a humorous time that made her laugh.
It was very important to her.
It was something she dreaded and avoided.
It was one of many things she enjoyed.
On that first day, I ran down the hill and into the road (few cars ever came along it) and had the good sense to stop running before I reached the Store.
I was liked, and what a difference it made. I was respected not as Mrs. Henderson's grandchild or Bailey's sister but for just being Marguerite Johnson.
—I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,
Maya Angelou
Read the passage. What is Angelou’s viewpoint toward the time she spent with Mrs. Flowers?
It was a humorous time that made her laugh.
It was very important to her.
It was something she dreaded and avoided.
It was one of many things she enjoyed.
Angelou’s viewpoint toward the time she spent with Mrs. Flowers is that it was very important to her. This is evident in the way she expresses feelings of being liked and respected for her own identity rather than just her familial ties. The significance of the experience suggests that it had a positive and meaningful impact on her life.
1 answer