The Poem "Observer" is about a person who likes to observe. Read the poem and then answer the questions that follow.

Observer

By Naomi Shihab Nye

1



5




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15

I watch how others things travel
to get an idea how I might move.
A cloud sweeps by silently,
gathering other clouds.
A doodlebug curls in his effort to get there.
A horse snorts before stepping forward.
A caterpillar inches across the kitchen floor.
When I carry him outside on a leaf,
I imagine someone doing that to me.
Would I scream?

In the heart of the day
nothing moves.
No one is going anywhere
or coming back.
The blue glass on the table
lets light pass through.
Something shines
but nothing moves.
I watch that too.

Text copyright (c)2000 By Naomi Shihab Nye. Greenwillow Books Used by permission of Harper Collins Publishers.

5. Which BEST states the message/theme of the poem?

A. People can learn by watching their surroundings.
B. A person's environment tells what they are like.
C. Challenges can be found everywhere.
D. Animal movements can teach important lessons.

Key: A

R-4-5.5 (message/theme)

Item Type: CR - related to passage

Alignment to GLE R-4-5.5: Analyze and interpret elements of literary texts, citing evidence where appropriate by… Identifying author's message or theme

Depth of Knowledge: Level 3 - Draw inferences about author's purpose, author's message or theme (explicit or implied)

6. Explain the meaning of the title of the poem.

Use details from the poem to support your response.

Key: Scoring Guide

R-4-5.5 (message/theme)

Item Type: CR- related to passage

Alignment to GLE R-4-5.5: Analyze and interpret elements of literary texts, citing evidence where appropriate by... Identifying author's message or theme

Depth of Knowledge: Level 3- Explain, generalize, or connect ideas, using supportive evidence from the text; Draw inferences about author's purpose, author's message or theme (explicit or implied)