📖 Reading Literature: “Hope” is the thing with feathers (Grade 9)

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Read the text. Then answer using details from the text.

“Hope” is the thing with feathers — Emily Dickinson (public domain)

“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –

And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard –
And sore must be the storm –
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm –

I’ve heard it in the chillest land –
And on the strangest Sea –
Yet – never – in Extremity,
It asked a crumb – of me.

1. What is hope compared to?

2. What does "sings the tune without the words" suggest about hope?

3. What does the second stanza say about hope in hard times?

4. What does the speaker mean that hope "never… asked a crumb – of me"?

Theme: State the theme and explain how it develops over the text.

Answer key: 1) a bird ("the thing with feathers") · 2) hope is felt rather than explained; it does not need reasons · 3) it is sweetest in a storm; only a terrible storm could silence it · 4) hope gives freely and demands nothing in return · Theme: Hope endures through hardship and asks nothing in return.

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Worksheets › Grade 9 English › Reading Literature › Reading Literature

Grade 9 (ages 14–15)Reading comprehensionFree printable PDF

About this grade 9 worksheet

Free Grade 9 English worksheet (Common Core RL.9-10.1): read "“Hope” is the thing with feathers" and answer questions about key details, characters and theme. Skill: Key ideas and details in literature. Level: Grade 9 — also suits Year 10 (UK).

For teachers: skills & standards

CCSS RL.9-10.1: Key ideas and details in literature
CCSS RL.9-10.2: Key ideas and details in literature
CCSS RL.9-10.3: Key ideas and details in literature
Works as a morning-work page, a centre/station activity, homework or an early-finisher task.

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What age is it for?

It is designed for Grade 9 (ages 14–15), but use it with any child who is ready.

What skills does it build?

Key ideas and details in literature.

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More “Reading Literature” printables (rl.9-10.1–3: key ideas and details in literature)

Reading Literature: The Interpreter (Grade 9) · Reading Literature: Salt (Grade 9) · Reading Literature: The Debate (Grade 9) · Reading Literature: Inventory (Grade 9)

All 5 reading literature sheets → · Grade 9 English: all 10 skills → · All Common Core grades

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