The right word (Imtiaz Dharker poem) Quizzes

The right word (Imtiaz Dharker poem) Quiz

1 Why is the title of the poem "The right __?"
"Way." The speaker grapples with her own sense of moral obligation as she considers whether to invite the boy inside her home.

"Words." The speaker grapples to find language that communicates the truth about the terrorist standing outside her door.

"Way." The speaker grapples with her own sense of moral obligation as she considers whether to call the police.

"Word." The speaker grapples to find language that communicates the truth about the boy standing outside her door.
2 What collection was this poem published in?
Over the Moon (2014)

The terrorist at my table (2006)

I speak for the devil (2001)

Postcards from god (including Purdah) (1997)
3 What perspective(s) is/are used in the poem?
Second

Second and Third

First and Second

First
4 Describe the poem's stanzas.
The poem is composed of eight stanzas of varying length.

The poem is composed of nine stanzas of varying length.

The poem is composed of nine quatrains.

The poem is composed of eight quatrains.
5 What is the meter?
Free verse

Iambic pentameter

Blank verse

Anapestic tetrameter
6 Which of the following is a metaphor?
"Outside, defying every shadow, / stands a martyr."

"The child steps in / and carefully, at my door, / takes off his shoes."

"Are words no more / than waving, wavering flags?"

"is a boy who looks like your son, too."
7 What is a metaphor?
Metaphor is a comparison between two things that are otherwise unrelated using the words "like" or "as"

Metaphor is the occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words

Metaphor is to have or end with a sound that corresponds to another

Metaphor is a comparison between two things that are otherwise unrelated
8 Which of the following is NOT an example of alliteration?
"taking shelter in the shadows, / is a freedom fighter"

"I haven’t got this right."

"waving, wavering flags"

"watchful in the shadows, / is a guerrilla warrior. // God help me"
9 Define alliteration.
The occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words

The rhythm of a line.

A comparison between two things that are otherwise unrelated using the words "like" or "as"

The stressed and unstressed syllables in a line.
10 Describe the poem's setting.
The speaker is inside her home near the window. Outside, a boy is situated in the sunlight.

The speaker is in another country speaking with a local boy.

The speaker is locked outside her home. Inside, a boy has broken in.

The speaker is inside her home near the doorway. Outside, a boy is situated in the shadows.
11 What is the major conflict in the poem?
The speaker hates poetry.

The speaker's grappling with finding the correct language for the situation she is in.

Acts of terrorism kill people.

The speaker and the boy not being able to overcome the language barrier between them.
12 Who or what does the boy resemble?
The reader's son only

The speaker and the reader's respective sons

A former student of the speaker's

The speaker's son only
13 Why does Dharker only refer to the person standing outside the door as "a terrorist" in the first stanza?
Because this poem is framed like a news article.

By withholding any other specifications of identity at this point in the poem, Dharker aims to keep things simple.

By withholding any other specifications of identity at this point in the poem, Dharker evokes all the possible assumptions surrounding terrorism.

Because the person is in fact a terrorist. This is the right word to use.
14 Which of the following is NOT a theme in the poem?
The Power of Words

Grief Over the Lives Lost Because of War

Truth and Redefinition

Breaking Artificial Barriers
15 What is the progression of words the speaker uses to refer to the person standing outside?
A child, a martyr, a guerrilla warrior, a hostile militant, a freedom fighter, and a terrorist

A terrorist, a freedom fighter, a hostile militant, a guerrilla warrior, a martyr, and a child

A martyr, a wounded child, a freedom fighter, and a hostile merchant

A freedom fighter, a guerrilla warrior, a martyr, a terrorist, and a child
16 What is suggested in the poem about the power of words?
Words kill.

Words are influenced by religious, cultural, political, and social factors. In turn, they influence perception and action.

Words are influenced by action only.

Words maim or seriously injure.
17 Which is not a symbol in the poem?
The shadows

Childhood

The door

The food the family eats at dinner
18 Why is it significant that the speaker invites the boy in to eat with her family?
Sharing food and shelter with someone affirms their very hunger.

Sharing food and shelter with someone affirms their very existence.

Inviting someone into your home means you have enveloped them into your family.

Inviting someone into your home means you have nothing better to do.
19 Why does the poet engage in second-person perspective at times in the poem?
To tell the reader about stereotypical associations between Muslim people and terrorists.

To prompt the reader to consider the effects that words have on perception and action, and to imagine how they would act if they were in the speaker's situation.

To address a racist friend.

To condemn the reader for their unconscious biases.
20 Finish this quote: "Are words no more / than __"
tools to communicate?

wavering, waving flags!

waving, wavering flags?

waves of the ocean?
21 What concrete details are used to describe the boy?
He is a hostile militant.

His hand is too steady and his eyes are too hard.

He is a martyr.

His eyes are too steady and his hands tightened into hard fists.
22 What other passion of Dharker's does this poem evoke?
Film

Hosting

Painting

Drawing
23 What does the alliteration in the following quote demonstrate: "taking shelter in the shadows, is a freedom fighter."
The alliteration of /s/ in "shelter" and "shadows" and /e/ in "freedom" and "fighter" demonstrates the person's disillusionment.

The alliteration of /s/ in "shelter" and "shadows" and /e/ in "freedom" and "fighter" demonstrates the person's disillusionment.

The alliteration of /s/ in "shelter" and "shadows" and /e/ in "freedom" and "fighter" demonstrates the alignment in the person's motivation.

The alliteration of /sh/ in "shelter" and "shadows" and /f/ in "freedom" and "fighter" demonstrates the alignment in the person's motivation.
24 What does the child do at the end of the poem?
Carelessly take off his shoes as he enters the reader's house.

Carelessly take off his shoes as he enters the speaker's house.

Carefully take off his shoes as he enters the reader's house.

Carefully take off his shoes as he enters the speaker's house.
25 Why does the boy remove his shoes?
His feet were hot

It is specified as a sign of respect.

His shoes were dirty.

It is not specified, but most likely because it is a sign of respect in many cultures and religions

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Historical Context and Problematic Perceptions in "The Right Word"