Tuesday, 1/29/02
Warm Up. Copy.
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destitute : bankrupt :: sample : *_________
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alphabet : letters :: *__________ : colors
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significant : meaningless :: participant : *__________
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possible : prospective :: obvious : *__________
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"across write" = *__________
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Turn transcribe (v) into its noun form.
"Theme for English B"
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Read the poem again. Try to pay attention to the punctuation.
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What are your first reactions to this poem? (Like? Dislike?
What kind of person wrote it? Theme? Lesson? Message?)
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The word "true" in line #5 most likely means: a) factually
correct, b) truly personal and important, c) straight, d) believable.
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The word "theme", as it is used here, most likely means:
a) what the poem is really about, b) what the poem relates to, c) another
name for a piece of writing, d) none of the above.
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Why do you think he spends so much of the poem explaining
how he goes home?
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What point do you think he is trying to make when he describes
what he likes?
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What key words/phrases might need more explanation in order
to understand the meaning of the poem better? List at least 5.
For the starred ones, copy a line (or lines) from the
poem that answers the question.
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*How does Langston Hughes show that, in most ways he is just
like the teacher?
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*How does he show that in another very important way they
are very different?
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*How does he show that his environment is very important
in making him the person he is?
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*How does he show that, even though we may not always like
it, all humans have an influence on each other?
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*How does Langston Hughes show that the "melting pot" idea
isn't really working for him?
Choose and copy the best answer.
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Which of the following quotes best shows what Langston Hughes
is probably trying to tell his teacher? (What is the theme of "Theme..."?)
a) "That's American." b) "Being me, it will not be white." c) "I like to
work, read, learn, and understand life." d) "I am the only colored student
in my class." e) "although you're older--and white--and somewhat more free."
f) c and e, g) none of the above.
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The idea of America as the ("melting pot") means... a) that
America is a place where people from many cultures can come and still be
Russian or Irish or whatever, b) that America is a place where people from
many cultures come and become "Americans", c) that America is a place where
people from many cultures can come and have their own sections of cities
and neighborhoods, d) a and c, e) none of the above.