Open Up - Grade 7 - ELA - Module 3 - Mid Unit 1 Assessment - Formative Library | Library

Part I 

Directions: Read the poem “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Answer the questions below.

“National Hymn [Lift Every Voice and Sing]” by James Weldon Johnson
Written for the celebration of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, Jacksonville Florida. 1900.

1. 
Lift every voice and sing 
Till earth and heaven ring, 
Ring with the harmonies of liberty; 
Let our rejoicing rise 
High as the listening skies, 
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea. 
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us, 
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us. 
Facing the rising sun 
Of our new day begun, 
Let us march on till victory is won.

2. 
Stony the road we trod, 
Bitter the chastening rod 
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died; 
Yet, with a steady beat, 
Have not our weary feet 
Come to the place for which our fathers sighed! 
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered, 
We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered, 
Out from the gloomy past, 
Till now we stand at last, 
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

3. 
God of our weary years, 
God of our silent tears, 
Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way; 
Thou who hast by thy might, 
Led us into the night, 
Keep us forever in the path we pray. 
Lest our feet stray from the places our God where we met thee, 
Lest our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget thee; 
Shadowed beneath thy hand, 
May we forever stand, 
True to our God, true to our Native land.

Johnson, James Weldon. “National Hymn [Lift Every Voice and Sing].” 1900. James Weldon
Johnson and Grace Nail Johnson Papers, Yale Collection of American Literature, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library. Web. Public domain.

Which of the following best describes the mood or overall feeling of the first stanza? (RL.7.4)

disappointment and anger about the present

hesitation about what is yet to come

surprise at lucky circumstances

strength and resolve in the face of difficulty

RL.7.4

In the second stanza, how do the phrases a way that with tears has been watered and treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered affect the meaning of the poem? (L.7.5, L.7.5a)

by showing why the singers gave up hope

by describing a dark and violent pas

by explaining the ways in which history repeats itself

by foreshadowing how the future will be disappointing

L.7.5.a

RL.7.5

Reread the final lines of the second stanza and answer the question that follows:

Out from the gloomy past, 
Till now we stand at last, 
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

How do these ending lines build on the mood created earlier in the stanza? (RL.7.4, L.7.5a)

by showing why similar events keep happening in history

by highlighting how things can change very quickly

by creating a sense of hope after the struggle

by displaying confusion on the part of the speakers

L.7.5.a

RL.7.4

Read the following excerpt from “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and answer the question that follows.

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us.

How does the repetition in these lines help convey the meaning of the lyrics? (RL.7.4)

by reminding the listener of the subject of the song

by showing how the speaker draws strength from past and present

by suggesting the type of gift the speaker wishes to make to the listener

by explaining why the speaker fears that the present will be like the pas

RL.7.4

Read the following excerpt from “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and answer the question that follows.

Yet with a steady beat, 
Have not our weary feet 
Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?

What does the phrase for which our fathers sighed tell us about the “place” where they find themselves? (RL.7.4, L.7.5, L.7.5a)

that the speaker’s ancestors feared it

that the speaker has been there previously

that the speaker’s ancestors wished to arrive there

that the speaker has been warned about it

L.7.5.a

RL.7.4

RL.7.5

Which of the following best describes what the poem is about? (RL.7.4, L.7.5)

an explanation of how things can change without people realizing it

a lesson in not taking for granted what you have

the journey of a people who have suffered greatly but persevered

the story of giving up in the face of difficulty

L.7.5.a

RL.7.4

Part II 

Directions: Listen to the performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” as your teacher plays the song. You will have a chance to review the questions before your teacher plays the song a second time. If time allows, your teacher may play the track a third time.

This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.

Part A 

How do the singers emphasize the words brought us (7) in the song? (RL.7.7)

by singing them more quietly than other words

by speeding up how they sing them

by singing them more loudly than other words

by slowing down how they sing them

RL.7.7

Part B 

How does this emphasis on the words brought us highlight a theme in the text? (RL.7.7)

It shows the speakers’ struggle to be heard.

It shows that the speakers’ journey is just beginning.

It shows the fear the speakers feel.

It shows the importance of community.

RL.7.7

This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B. 

Part A 
How do the singers emphasize the final four lines of the stanza? (RL.7.7)

They sing the lines more slowly than other lines.

They cut out some of the lines.

They sing the lines more quickly than other lines.

They repeat the lines.

RL.7.7

10.

Part B 
How does the singers’ emphasis of the final four lines affect the meaning of the text? (RL.7.7)

It highlights the determination of the speakers.

It suggests that things are not always as they seem.

It warns about the dangers that the future may bring.

It gives a new reason to find hope from the past.

RL.7.7

11.

What techniques do the singers use throughout the song? How do these techniques affect the meaning of the song? (RL.7.1, RL.7.7, L.7.6)

RL.7.6

RL.7.7

RL.7.1

Source: Open Up Resouces (Download for free at openupresources.org.)