The right word (Imtiaz Dharker poem) Quizzes

The right word (Imtiaz Dharker poem) Quiz

1 Why is the title of the poem "The right __?"
"Words." The speaker grapples to find language that communicates the truth about the terrorist standing outside her door.

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

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

"Way." The speaker grapples with her own sense of moral obligation as she considers whether to invite the boy inside her home.
2 What collection was this poem published in?
The terrorist at my table (2006)

Over the Moon (2014)

I speak for the devil (2001)

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

Second and Third

Second

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

The poem is composed of nine quatrains.

The poem is composed of nine stanzas of varying length.

The poem is composed of eight quatrains.
5 What is the meter?
Iambic pentameter

Free verse

Anapestic tetrameter

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

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

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

"is a boy who looks like your son, too."
7 What is a metaphor?
Metaphor is to have or end with a sound that corresponds to another

Metaphor is a comparison between two things that are otherwise unrelated using the words "like" or "as"

Metaphor is a comparison between two things that are otherwise unrelated

Metaphor is the occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words
8 Which of the following is NOT an example of alliteration?
"watchful in the shadows, / is a guerrilla warrior. // God help me"

"taking shelter in the shadows, / is a freedom fighter"

"waving, wavering flags"

"I haven’t got this right."
9 Define alliteration.
The stressed and unstressed syllables in a line.

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

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

The rhythm of a line.
10 Describe the poem's setting.
The speaker is in another country speaking with a local boy.

The speaker is inside her home near the window. Outside, a boy is situated in the sunlight.

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 and the boy not being able to overcome the language barrier between them.

Acts of terrorism kill people.

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

The speaker hates poetry.
12 Who or what does the boy resemble?
The reader's son only

The speaker and the reader's respective sons

The speaker's son only

A former student of the speaker's
13 Why does Dharker only refer to the person standing outside the door as "a terrorist" in the first stanza?
Because the person is in fact a terrorist. This is the right word to use.

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

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

Because this poem is framed like a news article.
14 Which of the following is NOT a theme in the poem?
The Power of Words

Breaking Artificial Barriers

Truth and Redefinition

Grief Over the Lives Lost Because of War
15 What is the progression of words the speaker uses to refer to the person standing outside?
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 child, a martyr, a guerrilla warrior, a hostile militant, a freedom fighter, and a terrorist

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 are influenced by action only.

Words maim or seriously injure.

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

Words kill.
17 Which is not a symbol in the poem?
The door

The shadows

The food the family eats at dinner

Childhood
18 Why is it significant that the speaker invites the boy in to eat with her family?
Inviting someone into your home means you have enveloped them into your family.

Sharing food and shelter with someone affirms their very hunger.

Inviting someone into your home means you have nothing better to do.

Sharing food and shelter with someone affirms their very existence.
19 Why does the poet engage in second-person perspective at times in the poem?
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 tell the reader about stereotypical associations between Muslim people and terrorists.

To condemn the reader for their unconscious biases.

To address a racist friend.
20 Finish this quote: "Are words no more / than __"
waving, wavering flags?

waves of the ocean?

wavering, waving flags!

tools to communicate?
21 What concrete details are used to describe the boy?
His eyes are too steady and his hands tightened into hard fists.

He is a martyr.

He is a hostile militant.

His hand is too steady and his eyes are too hard.
22 What other passion of Dharker's does this poem evoke?
Film

Hosting

Drawing

Painting
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 /sh/ in "shelter" and "shadows" and /f/ in "freedom" and "fighter" demonstrates the alignment in the person's motivation.

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

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

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

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

His shoes were dirty.

It is specified as a sign of respect.

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"