ENGLISH LITERATURE

GRADES 10 & 11

Instruction: Read the poem carefully and then answer the questions that follow on the basis of what is
implied or stated.

America

Although she feeds me bread of bitterness,

And sinks into my throat her tiger’s tooth,
Stealing my breath of life, I will confess
I love this cultured hell that tests my youth.
5 Her vigor flows like tides into my blood,
Giving me strength erect against her hate,
Her bigness sweeps my being like a flood.
Yet, as a rebel fronts a king in state,
I stand within her walls with not a shred
10 Of terror, malice, not a word of jeer.
Darkly I gaze into the days ahead,
And see her might and granite wonders there,
Beneath the touch of Time’s unerring hand,
Like priceless treasures sinking in the sand.

By Claude McKay

This poem is in the public domain.

1. The poem uses all of the following literary devices except

A. personification
B. metaphor
C. simile
D. onomatopoeia

2. The phrase ‘cultured hell’ (line 4) is an example of

a. oxymoron
b. alliteration
c. pun
d. repetition

3. Which word below BEST describes the persona's attitude in lines 1-10 of the poem?
a. Annoyed
b. Apprehensive
c. Curious
d. Tenacious
4. The main purpose of the poem is to
a. comment on the impressive size of America.
b. reveal the persona's resilience in the face of hardships.
c. highlight how foolishly the persona behaves in the face of danger.
d. inform readers about the devastation that will happen in a few days.

5. All of the expressions below convey how challenging America is except

a. "Although she feeds me bread of bitterness" (line 1)
b. "Her vigor flows like tides into my blood" (line 5)
c. "Stealing my breath of life" (line 3)
d. "I love this cultured hell that tests my youth" (line 4)

6. Using the poem as reference, which statement below is false?

a. The persona is intimidated by America's size.
b. There are many challenges to be experienced in America.
c. It is evident that the persona detests America.
d. America's power will diminish in the future.

7. The expression 'with not a shred of terror, malice...” (lines 9-10) is an example of
a. personification
b. hyperbole
c. onomatopoeia
d. metaphor

8. What impression is created about what the persona sees from the use of the word “darkly” (line
11)?
a. It is very difficult for the persona to see what is before him.
b. He is not certain about he is looking at.
c. He is looking at several things that cause fear to reflect in his eyes.
d. He foresees that the future has several frightening things in store.

9. What do the last four lines of the poem suggest about America?
a. Many of America's most valuable possessions will sink in the sand.
b. America will learn that time should not be underestimated.
c. In a few days' time many changes will take place in America.
d. The power and wonder that America possesses will diminish in the future.

10. The form of the poem is known as a

a. free verse
b. dramatic monologue
c. elegy
d. sonnet

Prepared by: Melissa A.K. McKenzie