Item 1 Read the second stanza from the poem "Sympathy."

I know why the caged bird beats his wing

Till its blood is red on the cruel bars;

For he must fly back to his perch and cling

When he fain would be on the bough a-swing;

And a pain still throbs in the old, old scars

And they pulse again with a keener sting—

I know why he beats his wing!

Question 1
Part A

In the second stanza of the poem "Sympathy," what can be inferred about the caged bird beating its wings?

The bird would rather fly free.

A bee has stung the bird.

The bird wants to create a scar.

The cage is calling the bird to return.
Question 2
Part B

Which line from the second stanza in the poem best supports the answer in Part A?

"And a pain still throbs in the old, old scars"

"When he fain would be on the bough a-swing;"

"And they pulse again with a keener sting—"

"For he must fly back to his perch and cling"