Question

ASAP As soon as it is possible, please. Thanks

It used to feel too big
and mostly abandoned, leftover land between
neighboring cul-de-sacs and the elementary
school.
Still, I would visit its few humble1
stations —
the cracked stump by the fence always crawling
with ants. The narrow space behind the garage
lined with unused slate, just standing there
waiting for my parents’ hands. Then there was the shady dirt
under the old maple tree where I read, cradled or
sinking between dying tentacle roots.
Was there ever any glory there? I can remember
a few humid evenings through the crack of the back door.
Twilight hanging like a velvet curtain, the thinning
pine trees at least only silhouettes.2
My parents would be at the top of the empty hill
sitting at the rusty, wrought iron table, in an orb
of orange candlelight. I knew they were eating artichoke
with hot butter, scraping off the meat of the leaves with their teeth
and just casting the rest away.

1. PART A: Which statement expresses the main theme of the poem?

A. Childhood homes always hold a special importance to people.
B. Children often find special meaning in places and things that adults do not.
C. Ordinary places can become extraordinary with a little imagination.
D. As we grow older, our memories of the past grow more positive.

2. PART B: Which detail from the text best supports the answer to Part A?

A. “It used to feel too big / and mostly abandoned, leftover land between /
neighboring cul-de-sacs” (Lines 1-3)
B. “Was there ever any glory there? I can remember / a few humid evenings
through the crack of the back door.” (Lines 11-12)
C. “Twilight hanging like a velvet curtain, the thinning / pine trees at least only
silhouettes.” (Lines 13-14)
D. “scraping off the meat of the leaves with their teeth / and just casting the rest
away.” (Lines 18-19)

3. PART A: How does the speaker’s feelings about the backyard compare to their parents?

A. The speaker’s parents enjoyed the backyard more than the speaker did.
B. The speaker and their parents had many happy memories in the backyard.
C. The speaker has happier memories in the backyard than their parents.
D. The speaker and their parents were both unimpressed by the backyard.

4. PART B: Which TWO quotes from the text best support the answer to Part A?

A. “leftover land between / neighboring cul-de-sacs and the elementary school.”
(Lines 2-3)
B. “Still, I would visit its few humble stations — / the cracked stump by the fence”
(Lines 4-5)
C. “Then there was the shady dirt / under the old maple tree where I read” (Lines
8-9)
D. “Twilight hanging like a velvet curtain, the thinning / pine trees at least only
silhouettes.” (Lines 13-14)
E. “My parents would be at the top of the empty hill / sitting at the rusty, wrought
iron table in an orb of / orange candlelight ” (Lines 15-17)
F. “scraping off the meat of the leaves with their teeth / and just casting the rest
away” (Lines 18-19)

Answer 1

Answer and Explanation:

1. A. Childhood homes always hold a special importance to people.

The narrator shows a memory about the house that lived in the memory, specifying the scenario, the view he has of his parents and the time he spent living in that place. The narration brings a feeling of nostalgia and longing, showing how special this stage was for the narrator.

2.B. “Was there ever any glory there? I can remember / a few humid evenings through the crack of the back door. ” (Lines 11-12)

The speaker shows how his memory makes him reflect on the place where he lived, seeking the glory of the place, the sensations he felt and how he used to look at the landscape.

3. A. The speaker’s parents enjoyed the backyard more than the speaker did.

Although the place where the speaker lived in childhood has a special place in his memory, in addition to bringing the feeling of nostalgia and longing, he does not appear to like the yard, since he did not see much glory or things to be proud of, his parents appreciate it and seem to feel great at the place.

4. E. “My parents would be at the top of the empty hill / sitting at the rusty, wrought iron table in an orb of / orange candlelight” (Lines 15-17)

The above excerpt shows how, even in the simplicity and lack of resources of the place, the narrator's parents find time to appreciate and enjoy what the place has to offer.