The Burden
1
Lee climbed the steps to his apartment slowly. His head was bowed, and his shoulders slumped as if he were carrying a sack of rocks instead of his schoolbooks. As he turned his key in the lock, he could hear Grandfather in the kitchen, preparing his snack. Lee sighed and opened the door, forcing his face into a smile.
2
“Hello, Grandfather,” he said, putting his books down on the kitchen table.
3
“Sit, sit,” Grandfather said, beaming at him. “First eat, then study.”
4
It was the same routine every day. Most of the time, Lee did not mind it very much. He wanted to make his grandfather proud. But some days, like today, he felt overwhelmed. It was a sunny spring day, and although his friends from school were now playing ball in the park down the block, Lee had to come straight home to do his homework.
5
Although they rarely talked about it, Lee knew how his grandparents had struggled and saved for years to come to this country. And he knew that his parents worked long hours so that he and his sister, May Lin, could have the education they never had. Each “A” on Lee's report card was a small reward for the sacrifices his parents and grandparents had made.
6
Lee began to eat his toasted sesame cakes, then noticed Grandfather looking at him with concern. Although he did not speak fluent English, Grandfather could always express his thoughts clearly.
7
“You are bent over,” Grandfather said, “like a man who carries his whole family on his back.”
8
He has seen right through me, Lee thought guiltily, staring at his plate. What happened next, however, surprised him. Grandfather touched Lee’s shoulders with both hands, then clasped his hands together as if holding something precious.
9
“I will hold your burden for a little while,” Grandfather said. “Go outside and play. Your books and I will wait for you.”
10
Lee stood up straight and hugged his grandfather. “I will be back in an hour,” he said. And he was Read these lines from The Burden Bearer, a poem written by Edgar A. Guest.
Now I turn an' see them smilin' an' I hear their merry laughter,
An' I'm glad to bear the burdens for the ones that follow after.
Which part of "The Burden" is MOST similar to the speaker of this poem?
A.
Lee went outside to play.
B.
Grandfather saved money to come to the United States.
C.
Lee gets A's on his report card.
D.
Grandfather prepared Lee a snack
1 answer
The part of "The Burden" that is MOST similar to the speaker of the poem is:
B. Grandfather saved money to come to the United States.
This choice reflects the theme of carrying burdens for the benefit of others, as the poem speaks about bearing burdens for those who come after, similar to how Grandfather worked hard to provide a better life for Lee and his family.
