Question

consider the extended metaphor of the caged bird. then, choose the figurative meaning poem.
\but a bird that stalks / down his narrow cage / can seldom see through / his bars of rage\
the caged bird is so angry about his lack of freedom that it is all he can think about.
\the caged bird sings / with a fearful trill / of things unknown / but longed for still\
the caged bird prefers singing to being free.
the caged bird fears freedom because he only knows oppression.
the caged bird desires freedom, even though he has never experienced it.

Explanation:

The phrase “of things unknown / but longed for still” indicates that the bird desires something it has not experienced. Since the poem uses the caged bird as a metaphor for oppression and lack of freedom, these “things unknown” can be inferred as freedom. The “fearful trill” shows hesitation or uncertainty (because it's unknown), but the “longed for still” emphasizes the desire. The option “The caged bird desires freedom, even though he has never experienced it” aligns with this interpretation. The option “The caged bird prefers singing to being free” is incorrect as there's no indication of preference for singing over freedom in the text. The option “The caged bird fears freedom because he only knows oppression” misinterprets the “fearful trill” – the fear seems more about the unknown nature (as it's “things unknown”) rather than a fear of freedom itself; the dominant emotion is longing (from “longed for still”).

Answer:

The caged bird desires freedom, even though he has never experienced it.