Question

directions: read and read the poem entitled the african picnic. then, answer the questions that follow.

1. what is the overall mood created by the repeated phrase \good-bye, mamma, good-bye\?

a. excitement
b. sorrow mixed with celebration
c. confusion
d. anger

1. why are there so many different locations listed at the start of the poem?

a. to show that the speaker travels for fun
b. to emphasize how movement and transition are part of their lives
c. to show how crowded the city can be
d. to confuse the reader with too many details

1. the long list of locations in the poem (\in a parking lot... in an airport queue... on a south side street\) is an example of—

a. hyperbole
b. imagery
c. personification
d. onomatopoeia

1. what does the poet suggest about community when describing the mailman waving goodbye?

a. the mailman is the only person who cares about the family
b. goodbyes are public events shared by many
c. the mailman is interrupting the farewell moment
d. the departure is a secret

1. the suitcases and boxes mentioned in the poem most likely represent—

a. a future vacation the family is planning
b. the heaviness and preparation involved in leaving
c. a lack of organization
d. the family’s interest in shopping

1. which image in the poem best shows a blend of african cultural traditions and american life?

a. \in a winter coat\
b. \on the cross-town bus\
c. \in a djellaba\
d. \in a brand-new car\

1. when the poem says \ten or twelve suitcases stuffed in the car,\ the detail helps the reader understand—

a. the family is moving or traveling with much of their life packed
b. they are going on a short overnight trip
c. they just bought new luggage
d. they misplaced many items

1. what does the line \the front door shut. the driveway bare.\ most likely symbolize?

a. someone forgot something inside
b. emptiness or absence after a loved one leaves
c. a storm approaching
d. a celebration happening inside

1. the \african picnic\ repeated in the poem serves to highlight—

a. a place the family dislikes going
b. a cultural event where the community gathers
c. a random location added for detail
d. a place the family visits after arriving

Explanation:

Question 1

The phrase "Good - bye, Mamma, good - bye" implies a farewell. Farewells often have a sorrowful tone due to the separation, but if it's part of a larger context (like a cultural or family event), there could be a celebratory aspect too. Option A (Excitement) doesn't fit a goodbye. Option C (Confusion) is not related to a repeated goodbye. Option D (Anger) is also not associated with a typical goodbye. So the mood is sorrow mixed with celebration.

Listing many locations at the start of a poem about a family (probably with a departure theme) is likely to show that movement and transition are part of their lives. Option A (travels for fun) is not supported as a goodbye context. Option C (show crowded city) is not related to multiple locations in a farewell poem. Option D (confuse reader) is not a literary purpose here.

Imagery is the use of descriptive language to create mental images. Listing locations like "In a parking lot... In an airport queue... on a South Side street" creates a visual picture of the places related to the family's situation. Hyperbole is exaggeration, personification is giving human traits to non - human, and onomatopoeia is sound - related. So it's imagery.

Answer:

B. Sorrow mixed with celebration

Question 2