Question

identify the choice that best answers the question. answer part a first, and then part b.

part a:

read the following two quotations from \caged bird.\

a free bird leaps / on the back of the wind / ... / and dips
his wing / in the orange sun rays / and dares to claim the sky.

but a bird that stalks / down his narrow cage / can seldom see
through / his bars of rage / his wings are clipped and / his feet
are tied

what do these quotations suggest about the structure of the poem?

the poem contrasts the free bird and the caged bird, showing the differences between them.
the poem compares the free bird and the caged bird, showing the qualities they have in common.
the poem tells the story of the free bird and the caged bird, explaining how they came to be allies.
the poem tells the story of the free bird and the caged bird, explaining how they came to oppose each other.

Explanation:

Analyze the first quotation

The first quotation describes a "free bird" that leaps on the wind, dips its wing in the orange sun rays, and "dares to claim the sky." This imagery evokes feelings of freedom, power, and limitless possibilities.

Analyze the second quotation

The second quotation describes a "caged bird" that "stalks / down his narrow cage," can "seldom see through / his bars of rage," and has clipped wings and tied feet. This imagery represents confinement, restriction, and anger.

Compare the two quotations

The two quotations present opposite situations: one bird is completely free, while the other is severely restricted. The transition word "But" at the beginning of the second quotation signals a direct shift or contrast between these two states.

Evaluate the answer choices

• Option 1: "The poem contrasts the free bird and the caged bird, showing the differences between them." This matches the analysis, as the poem uses opposing imagery to highlight their different lives.
• Option 2: "The poem compares the free bird and the caged bird, showing the qualities they have in common." This is incorrect because they share almost no positive qualities; their situations are opposites.
• Option 3: "The poem tells the story of the free bird and the caged bird, explaining how they came to be allies." This is incorrect because they do not interact or become allies.
• Option 4: "The poem tells the story of the free bird and the caged bird, explaining how they came to oppose each other." This is incorrect because they do not actively fight or oppose each other in a narrative storyline.

Determine the best choice

The structural setup of alternating between the free bird and the caged bird serves to contrast their experiences. Therefore, the first option is the correct answer.

Answer:

• The poem contrasts the free bird and the caged bird, showing the differences between them. (Correct answer)
• The poem compares the free bird and the caged bird, showing the qualities they have in common.
• The poem tells the story of the free bird and the caged bird, explaining how they came to be allies.
• The poem tells the story of the free bird and the caged bird, explaining how they came to oppose each other.