A3 ELA gr7 23-24 Form C Online
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Feature
“Fifteen”
By William Stafford
Read the poem, and then answer the questions.
South of the bridge on Seventeenth
I found back of the willows one summer
day a motorcycle with engine running
as it lay on its side, ticking over
slowly in the high grass. I was fifteen.
I admired all that pulsing gleam, the
shiny flanks, the demure headlights
fringed where it lay; I led it gently
to the road and stood with that
companion, ready and friendly. I was fifteen.
We could find the end of a road, meet
the sky on out Seventeenth. I thought about
hills, and patting the handle got back a
confident opinion. On the bridge we indulged
a forward feeling, a tremble. I was fifteen.
Thinking, back farther in the grass I found
the owner, just coming to, where he had flipped
over the rail. He had blood on his hand, was pale—
I helped him walk to his machine. He ran his hand
over it, called me good man, roared away.
I stood there, fifteen.
William Stafford, “Fifteen” from Ask Me: 100 Essential Poems. Copyright © 1966, 2014 by William Stafford and the Estate of William Stafford. Reprinted with the permission of The Permissions Company, Inc. on behalf of Graywolf Press, Minneapolis, Minnesota, www.graywolfpress.org.
Question 1
This is a two-part item.
Part A
How does seeing the motorcycle influence the speaker of the poem?
Responses
A It leads him to try to steal the motorcycle.It leads him to try to steal the motorcycle.
B It leads him to fantasize about driving the motorcycle.It leads him to fantasize about driving the motorcycle.
C It makes him wish he knew how to ride the motorcycle.It makes him wish he knew how to ride the motorcycle.
D It makes him question the safety of riding the motorcycle.It makes him question the safety of riding the motorcycle.
Question 2
Part B
Which detail supports the answer to Part A?
Responses
A “I found back of the willows one summer / day a motorcycle” (lines 2–3)“I found back of the willows one summer / day a motorcycle” (lines 2 – 3)
B “I admired all that pulsing gleam, the / shiny flanks,” (lines 6–7)“I admired all that pulsing gleam, the / shiny flanks,” (lines 6 – 7)
C “We could find the end of a road, meet / the sky on out Seventeenth.” (lines 11–12)“We could find the end of a road, meet / the sky on out Seventeenth.” (lines 11 – 12)
D “I found / the owner, just coming to, where he had flipped” (lines 16–17)“I found / the owner, just coming to, where he had flipped” (lines 16 – 17)
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Question 1
Answer: B It leads him to fantasize about driving the motorcycle.
Question 2
Answer: B “I admired all that pulsing gleam, the / shiny flanks,” (lines 6–7)