Pretest

Question 1

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

Revolt · Accepted Answer

the able-bodied men he saw begging for money and standing in bread lines in the streets of New York

Question 2

Read the excerpt from the song, “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” 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. Which best restates the main idea of these lines?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

The heroic men standing in line for food were used to building and fighting for the American dream.

Question 3

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

Revolt · Accepted Answer

affected all Americans in one way or another.; drove a wedge between people who once were friendly.

Question 4

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?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

disillusioned returning veterans

Question 5

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

Revolt · Accepted Answer

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?

Question 6

Which historical event was the major incentive for Harburg to write the song, “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?”

Revolt · Accepted Answer

the Great Depression

Question 7

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

Revolt · Accepted Answer

The men who had built and fed the nation and fought in World War I were abandoned and struggling to survive.

Question 8

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

Revolt · Accepted Answer

A man named Al is responsible for the building, development, and protection of the United States of America.; 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.

Question 9

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?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

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?

Question 10

Read the excerpt from song, “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” Once I built a railroad, made it run, Made it race against time. Once I built a railroad, Now it's done— Which idea is conveyed in the excerpt?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

The speaker used to have work, but now there isn’t any.

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