Assessment: Mother to Son

Directions: Complete the following questions regarding Mother to Son. You may use your notes for the assessment. Questions 1-3 are each worth 10 points. Question 4 is worth 20 points. 1. At the end of the poem, the speaker expresses a tone of A frustration, because her life has been so difficult B encouragement, because she doesnt want her son to give up C hope, because she believes her life is about to get better D anger, because life hasnt been fair for herself or her son

2. Read the following lines from the poem: And sometimes goin in the dark Where there aint been no light. The poet uses figurative language in these lines to show that A sometimes she has had to live without electricity B she doesnt want he son to stop trying C at times she has had to act without knowing what lay ahead D she had felt much pain and despair in her life already

3. Which lines from the poem best reveal the speakers main purpose? A Life for me aint been no crystal stair/ Its had tacks in it,/ And splinters B Ise been a-climbin on,/And reaching landins C And sometimes goin in the dark/Where there aint been no light D So, boy, dont you turn back/ Dont you set down on the steps/Cause you finds it kinder hard

Short answer: How does the poet use figurative language and/or vivid imagery (this was all discussed in the lesson) to create meaning in Mother to Son? Provide one specific example (using quotation marks and citing the line number) and explain how it helps you understand what the poet is saying.