Question

Read this excerpt from "Fences."

I peek through the cactus fence
and watch the women rub oil
sweeter than honey into their arms and legs
while their children jump waves
or sip drinks from long straws,
coconut white, mango yellow.

For which reasons does the poet most likely choose a fence made of cactus? Check all that apply.

Cactus is sharp, which represents the pain the natives feel.
The speaker raises cactus plants in her home.
Cactus plants are found at tourist beaches.
Cactus is the symbol of oppressed people all over the world.
One can see through a cactus fence, but it is hard to climb through.

Answer 1

1,3,5

Cactus is sharp, which represents the pain the natives feel.

Cactus plants are found at tourist beaches.

One can see through a cactus fence, but it is hard to climb through.

Step-by-step explanation:

Edge 2020

Answer 2

Cactus is sharp, which represents the pain the natives feel.

Cactus plants are found at tourist beaches.

One can see through a cactus fence, but it is hard to climb through.

Step-by-step explanation:

The given excerpt is taken from the poem 'Fences' written by Pat Mora. The poem is about the divisions between the rich tourist and poor servants.

In the poem, the poet most likely chose a fence made of cactus because the sharp and needle-like cactus resembled natives pain and the pain of those serving in the tourist hotels. The fences made of cactus also revealed that cactus plants were found as a show piece at tourist beaches and also that fences made of cactus is hard to climb.

So, just like a fence made of cactus is hard to climb, the class division between rich tourist and poor people is hard to climb.

Therefore, the correct options are 1, 3, and 5.