Reading Comprehension Quiz

Gloria Anzaldúa, “How to Tame a Wild Tongue”

Read “How to Tame a Wild Tongue” and check your comprehension by answering the following questions. Click the submit button when finished.

Question In the first line of the essay, Anzaldúa writes, “We’re going to have to control your tongue.” She writes this in reference to the story about the dentist. What is the other meaning?

Question What point is Anzaldúa making by not translating all the Spanish sayings and phrases?

Question Anzaldúa’s tone in the essay can best be described as

Question Paragraph 6 begins with the line: “Attacks on one’s form of expression with the intent to censor are a violation of the First Amendment.” What does she wish for the audience to infer?

Question Who is the intended audience for this article?

Question Anzaldúa uses an excerpt from a poem by Irena Klepfisz: “And our tongues have become/dry the wilderness has/dried out our tongues and/ we have forgotten speech.” Given the context of the paragraph, who might Anzaldúa be referring to with the use of this poem?

Question Anzaldúa notes that “Until I can take pride in my language, I cannot take pride in myself.” What does she wish her audience to infer?

Question Anzaldúa specifically notes the immigrant heritage of the norteño music that she listened to growing up. What might be inferred by this specific reference?