Don't count the days, make the days count. Muhammad Ali
Idea Transcript
Freedom is sometimes taken for granted by those who are free. Read the following poem about a bird who sings for freedom he will never know. Then answer the questions. Some questions may ask you about certain lines in this poem. The numbers are found on the left side of the poem.
Caged Bird by Maya Angelou 1
5
10
15
20
25
30
A free bird leaps on the back of the wind and floats downstream till the current ends and dips his wing in the orange sun rays and dares to claim the sky. But a bird that stalks down his narrow cage can seldom see through his bars of rage his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing. The caged bird sings with a fearful trill of things unknown but longed for still and his tune is heard on the distant hill for the caged bird sings of freedom. The free bird thinks of another breeze and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn and he names the sky his own. But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing.
35
The caged bird sings with a fearful trill of things unknown but longed for still and his tune is heard on the distant hill for the caged bird sings for freedom. 0502
1. Which lines from the poem show that the caged bird has never been free? A.
B.
C.
D.
160521-0502
“his wings are clipped and / his feet are tied / so he opens his throat to sing.” (lines 12–14) “his tune is heard / on the distant hill / for the caged bird / sings for freedom.” (lines 19–22) “But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams / his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream” (lines 27–28) “The caged bird sings / with a fearful trill / of things unknown / but longed for still” (lines 31–34)
1. What does the caged bird’s singing reveal about him? A. B. C. D. 160518-0502
He is terribly unhappy. He does not want to fly. He is afraid to be free. He does not want to be heard.
1. Why does the caged bird sing? A. B. C. D. 160515-0502
It wants to challenge the free bird. It has to make others feel good. It wants to entertain people. It has only one way to express itself.
1. Read these lines from the poem. But a bird that stalks down his narrow cage can seldom see through his bars of rage What do these lines reveal about the caged bird? A. B. C. D. 160522-0502
The caged bird has strong feelings. The caged bird is aware of its surroundings. The caged bird has difficulty flying. The caged bird is satisfied with its life.
1. According to the poem, the free bird can best be described as A. B. C. D. 160517-0502
content. hungry. cautious. thoughtful.
1. What is the main conflict in this poem? A. B. C. D. 160516-0502
The caged bird hates the free bird. The caged bird wants the life of the free bird. The free bird laughs at the caged bird. The free bird cannot sing as well as the caged bird.
1. What is this poem mainly about? A. B. C. D. 160514-0502
Freedom and slavery The lives of birds Joy and singing The dreams of birds
1. Read lines 23 and 24 from the poem. The free bird thinks of another breeze / and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees What is the effect of the trees sighing in this verse? A. B. C. D. 160519-0502
It indicates that it is still early in the day. It shows the tree is sleeping. It indicates that the bird is carefree. It shows where the bird sleeps.