Maya Angelou’s poem I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Exam Based Questions

Maya Angelou’s

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

1.What is the central theme of the poem “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”? (UPSC, PGTRB, TNPSC, NET, CUET)

a) The beauty of nature

b) The contrast between freedom and oppression

c) The importance of music

d) The relationship between man and animals

Answer: b) The contrast between freedom and oppression

2.The free bird in Maya Angelou’s poem symbolizes— (TNPSC, NET, CUET)

a) People living in poverty

b) People enjoying freedom and privilege

c) The poet herself

d) Farmers working in the fields

Answer: b) People enjoying freedom and privilege

3. The caged bird in the poem is forced to sing because— (PGTRB, UPSC, SET)

a) It loves music

b) It wants to communicate with other birds

c) Singing is its only form of expression under oppression

d) It imitates the free bird

Answer: c) Singing is its only form of expression under oppression

4.Which literary device is dominant in the poem “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”? (NET, CUET, TNPSC)

a) Simile

b) Metaphor

c) Alliteration

d) Onomatopoeia

Answer: b) Metaphor

5.What does the “grave of dreams” in the poem signify? (UPSC, PGTRB, NET)

a) A cemetery for birds

b) Lost hopes and crushed aspirations of the oppressed

c) A peaceful place of rest

d) A land of opportunities

Answer: b) Lost hopes and crushed aspirations of the oppressed

6.Which natural imagery is associated with the free bird in the poem? (TNPSC, CUET, NET)

a) Leaping on the back of the wind

b) Singing with a fearful trill

c) Standing on the grave of dreams

d) Opening its throat to sing

Answer: a) Leaping on the back of the wind

7.What is the tone of the poem “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”? (PGTRB, UPSC, SET)

a) Satirical and humorous

b) Angry and rebellious

c) Hopeful yet mournful

d) Romantic and joyful

Answer: c) Hopeful yet mournful

8.The poem “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” is often interpreted as a metaphor for— (CUET, NET, TNPSC, UPSC)

a) Man vs. nature conflict

b) The struggle of women for independence

c) Racial discrimination and social inequality

d) The relationship between teacher and student

Answer: c) Racial discrimination and social inequality