STAAR English I & II - Poetry Task Cards

Last updated over 2 years ago
10 questions
Read the selection and choose the best answer to each question.

A Poem of Mexico By Wendy

She knows she can’t But if she has the chance She wants to stay To breathe in the unique scent of the day For now, she’s stuck in a city She wants to leave and go to the relaxing place Where she could forget her school days Where she could lay down in a soccer field and the stars she can gaze She finds herself getting closer to her family Family that’s only over there and Over there she has a wonderful time She loves to hang out with her sister who brings out some funny chimes She finds herself learning more about her sister over there But when she leaves that place her sister leaves as well This place is a special place where mostly everything goes well She finds herself leaving that place with lots of stories to tell She waits for the day when she’ll go back She waits for the day where she’ll see her family again She waits for the day and is getting tired She waits for the day and isn’t getting inspired
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What tone is conveyed by the poem?

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We can conclude that the speaker -

Nights By Angela

Why is it always at night. The feeling of loneliness without actually being alone. The anxiety and rush Of emotions I can’t Control. It’s not the first time. And I know it won’t be The last. Can I? Can I really make it stop? I’ve never been able to And the presence of others Bothers me, But my own presence I can’t stand. It’s me. No one else but Why? Why is it always at night. When the tears on my face. And the inflammation in my eyes Aren't enough to put me to sleep. Which is what the night is for. It’s impossible. And I can’t control it. And no one can help me.
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Line 11 suggests that the speaker -

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What tones are conveyed by this poem?

Excerpt from How Town By E E Cummings

anyone lived in a pretty how town (with up so floating many bells down) spring summer autumn winter he sang his didn't he danced his did Women and men(both little and small) cared for anyone not at all they sowed their isn't they reaped their same sun moon stars rain children guessed (but only a few and down they forgot as up they grew autumn winter spring summer) that none loved him more by more when by now and tree by leaf she laughed his joy she cried his grief bird by snow and stir by still anyone's any was all to her someones married their everyones laughed their cryings and did their dance (sleep wake hope and then)they said their nevers they slept their dream stars rain sun moon (and only the snow can begin to explain how children are apt to forget to remember with up so floating many bells down)
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What is the most likely reason the poet repeats the lines autumn winter spring summer and sun moon stars rain?

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Which of these best describes the structure of the poem?

The Oak By Alfred Lord Tennyson 

Live thy Life,   Young and old,   Like yon oak,   Bright in spring,   Living gold;   Summer-rich   Then; and then   Autumn-changed   Soberer-hued   Gold again.   All his leaves   Fall'n at length,   Look, he stands,   Trunk and bough   Naked strength.
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The poem is a metaphor that compares the Oak to -

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Which of these lines contains poetic language that conveys a sense of youth?

Summer Night By Adam

i lay on my back the stars high above are small but oh-so-large and twinkling together like jewels catching my eye and drawing me into their dark blanket and telling me that all is okay and my worries are oh-so-small and that life will be great
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Which of these lines contains poetic language that conveys a sense of comfort?

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The simile in line 4 -