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Assessment 1: Slam, Dunk, & Hook

Last updated over 3 years ago

11 questions

Instructions

Read "Slam, Dunk, & Hook" by Yusef Komanyakaa.  After readuing, answer the following: 

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Question 1

1.

What is happening in this poem?

The narrator of the poem describes a single game of basketball. 

The narrator of the poem describes the physical difficulties of basketball. 

The narrator of the poem describes the fun they had playing. 

The narrator of the poem describes the importance of bakerball in their past.  

Question 2

2.

Part A: How does the narrator of the poem explain the players' ability to play basketball?

They exercise to get in shape.

They have an excellent coach,.

It's a result of something he can't quite explain.

They are magic.

Question 3

3.

Part B: Select the textual evidence that best supports the answer to Part A:

"poised in midair/ like storybook sea monsters"

"played nonstop all day"

"glistening with sweat/ we rolled the ball"

"we had moved we didn't know / we had"

Question 4

4.

Label the following descriptions with either an"M" for metaphor or an "S" for simile:

"poised in midair / Like storybook sea monsters"
"We were metaphysical when girls / Cheered"
"glide like a sparrow hawk"
"muscles were a bright motor"

Metaphor
Simile

Question 5

5.

Part A: “Sprung rhythm” refers to a way of writing poetry that attempts to imitate the way people normally speak. What does this phrase reveal about the way the players play basketball?

they wrote poetry and played basketball

they had springs in their sneakers

they played basketball in an artful but also natural way

they jumped to make baskets all the time

Question 6

6.

Part B: Which phrase provides context for the correct answer to Part A?

“We’d corkscrew / Up & dunk balls that exploded”

“when girls / Cheered on the sidelines.”

“played nonstop all day, so hard”

"We rolled the ball off / Our fingertips.

Question 7

7.

"Mercury” is the Roman god of poetry and messages—he is thought to be the fastest of all the gods, and has wings on his feet. What does the reference to “Mercury’s / Insignia on our sneakers” show about the basketball players?

 The players are wearing sneakers with wings on them.

The players are fast, strong and almost mythically good at playing basketball.

The players are playing basketball in Rome.

The players have sneakers that allow them to fly.

Question 8

8.

Part A: Which phrase describes Sonny Boy’s reaction to his mother’s death?

“Double-flashing to the metal hoop / Nailed to our oak”

“played nonstop all day, so hard / Our backboard splintered”

“slapping a blackjack / Against an open palm”

“glide like a sparrow hawk / Lay ups. Fast breaks”

Question 9

9.

Part B: What does Sonny Boy’s reaction reveal about a theme of the poem?

Basketball created a special place of safety and power for the players, even during hard times.

Basketball was the only activity all the boys liked to do together.

Basketball made the boys more attractive to girls because it kept them in shape.

Basketball gave the boys special powers and abilities, like gods.

Question 10

10.

How does basketball shape the players’ sense of themselves?

Basketball increases the players’ physical strength.

Basketball builds players’ confidence and provides them with a community.

Basketball gave the players magical powers so nothing hurt them.

Basketball allows the players to compete against each other to show who is the best.

Question 11

11.

Respond to question 8, below, with a short answer (three to five sentences). Use complete sentences, and provide two pieces of relevant textual evidence to support your explanation. How does Yusef Komunyakaa use descriptive and sensory language to develop a central theme of the poem?