AnswersCR A-G English 11 Semester BFitzgerald and the Roaring Twenties

Depression and Hard Times Answers

10 verified answers1 views
1
Free Preview

Which excerpt from the song, “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” best emphasizes the idea that average Americans felt abandoned by the wealthy elite and the government?

A
They used to tell me I was building a dream, And so I followed the mob—When there was earth to plow, or guns to bear I was always there—right on the job.
B
Once I built a railroad, made it run, Made it race against time. Once I built a railroad, Now it's done—
C
Say, don't you remember, they called me Al— It was Al all the time. Why don't you remember, I'm your pal— Buddy, can you spare a dime?
D
Once I built a tower, up to the sun, Brick, and rivet, and lime,Once I built a tower, Now it's done—
2
Free Preview

Read the excerpt from the interview with E.Y. (Yip) Harburg.The prevailing greeting at that time, on every block you passed, by some poor guy coming up, was: “Can you spare a dime?” Or: “Can you spare something for a cup of coffee?” . . . “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” finally hit on every block, on every street. I thought that could be a beautiful title. If I could only work it out by telling people, through the song, it isn’t just a man asking for a dime. This is the man who says: I built the railroads. I built that tower. I fought your wars. I was the kid with the drum. Why the hell should I be standing in line now? What happened to all this wealth I created? Why does Harburg feel that “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” is a legitimate question, not just a plea from a beggar?

A
With their hard work, these individuals had invested in their country and they deserved to be suitably rewarded.
B
Manual labor jobs were replaced by white-collar jobs, so construction workers had no more options.
C
A dime was only a small amount of money that could feed an entire family for many days.
D
All of the wealthy had retained their riches, while the poor had to suffer through the Depression.
3

Which lines from the song, “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” conveys the image of veterans who are unable to find work?

A
When there was earth to plow, or guns to bear I was always there—right on the job. They used to tell me I was building a dream With peace and glory ahead— Why should I be standing in line Just waiting for bread?
B
Once I built a railroad, made it run, Made it race against time. Once I built a railroad, Now it's done— Brother, can you spare a dime?
C
Once in khaki suits, gee we looked swell, Full of that Yankee Doodle-de-dum, Half a million boots went sloggin’ through Hell, I was the kid with the drum.
D
Say, don't you remember, they called me Al— It was Al all the time. Why don't you remember, I'm your pal— Buddy, can you spare a dime?
4

What effect of the Great Depression is described in the song, “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?”

A
The expanded government regulations used to control banking practices led to abuses in power and a financial collapse.
B
The stock market crash of 1929 caused extensive losses in financial wealth for individuals in various branches of society.
C
Due to a lesser demand for food, the production of agricultural goods diminished and farmers struggled to keep their farms.
D
The men who had built and fed the nation and fought in World War I were abandoned and struggling to survive.
5

Read the excerpt from the song, “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?”Once in khaki suits, gee we looked swell, Full of that Yankee Doodle-de-dum, Half a million boots went sloggin’ through Hell, I was the kid with the drum.What reality of the Great Depression does the excerpt convey?

A
lack of spending power
B
lower agricultural production
C
increased unemployment
D
disillusioned returning veterans
6

Read the excerpt from the song, “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?”Say, don't you remember, they called me Al— It was Al all the time. Why don't you remember, I'm your pal— Buddy, can you spare a dime? The excerpt emphasizes the idea that the problems of the Great Depression

A
affected all Americans in one way or another.
B
drove a wedge between people who once were friendly.
C
brought out the very worst behavior in many Americans.
D
caused many Americans to experience financial ruin.
7

Based on the interview with E.Y. (Yip) Harburg, how does Harburg’s experience during the Great Depression differ from the experiences of most Americans?

A
Losing all of his possessions gave him the freedom to travel and see all regions of the country.
B
He decided to leave the country and find a garret apartment in Paris where he could write.
C
While many other businesses collapsed, Harburg’s business continued to prosper.
D
By being able to develop his creative talents, he profited from the Depression while many others suffered.
8

Which sentence best summarizes the central idea of the song, “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?”

A
The United States was built, developed, and protected by women and men of various cultures and backgrounds.
B
The men begging for money on the street helped build and protect our country, and they deserve a better lot than they have been given.
C
Farms, railroads, and the military have greatly diminished in quality since the onset of the Great Depression.
D
A man named Al is responsible for the building, development, and protection of the United States of America.
9

What led Harburg to write the song, “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?”

A
the biggest bread line in New York City, which was owned and operated by William Randolph Hearst
B
the realization that the prosperity of the past was completely gone and very unlikely to return
C
the able-bodied men he saw begging for money and standing in bread lines in the streets of New York
D
the request President Roosevelt made to Harburg for a catchy and poignant campaign song
10

Read the excerpt from the interview with E.Y. (Yip) Harburg.This is the man who says: I built the railroads. I built that tower. I fought your wars. I was the kid with the drum. Why the hell should I be standing in line now? What happened to all this wealth I created? In this excerpt, Harburg explains that his song is giving a voice to

A
the average American family man.
B
the working class and the veterans.
C
the business men who lost everything.
D
the lower classes of society.

Did you find these answers helpful?

More from this Course

Quiz
10 verified answers

Fitzgerald and the Roaring Twenties

Quiz
10 verified answers

Fitzgerald and the Roaring Twenties

Quiz
10 verified answers

Fitzgerald and the Roaring Twenties