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FIRST THEY CAME CommonLit Answers – FREE Access
Find the answer key for the topic “FIRST THEY CAME” below:
Note: Be prepared to share your original ideas in a class discussion.
Discussion Questions & Answers
Following are our answers based on the questions provided:
Q.1. In the context of the quotation, what are the effects of following the crowd? Do you think the narrator failed to speak up because others did not? Do you think the narrator would have protested the arrests if others had? Use evidence from this text, your own experience, and other literature, art, or history in your answer.
Ans: Following the crowd can have various effects on an individual. One effect is that it can lead to a loss of personal agency and independent thinking. When someone follows a group or adopts their ideals, they may stop doing things that they personally believe in or are capable of doing because the group does not do them. This can result in individuals suppressing their own thoughts, opinions, and actions in order to conform to the group’s norms.
In the given text, it is suggested that the narrator failed to speak up because others did not. This implies that the fear of standing out or going against the majority influenced their decision to remain silent. The narrator may have been concerned about how they would be perceived by others if they were to protest against the arrests alone.
To support this interpretation, we can draw upon real-life examples such as racism or other social issues where people often choose not to speak up against injustice due to fear of backlash from those around them. Additionally, literature, art, and history provide numerous instances where individuals have remained silent or followed along with oppressive systems because it was easier than challenging them alone.
Q.2. After reading this text, do you think people have a personal responsibility to stand up for each others’ rights and safety? What would you do if you saw a group being wrongfully targeted?
Ans: I personally believe that people don’t necessarily have a responsibility to stand up for each other’s safety and rights because all people are different and it’s just the fact that some people wouldn’t care about other people.
But if I saw a group wrongfully targeted then I would step in because I believe that everyone should be treated equally no matter who they are and what they represent.
Assessment Questions & Answers
Following are our answers based on the questions provided:
Q.1. Which of the following best describes the message of the poem?
Ans: Fear can cause people to stop caring about others or their suffering.
Q.2. Which detail best shows that the speaker feels regretful about his choices?
Ans: “Then they came for – and there was no one left to speak for me.”
Q.3. What does the phrase “because I was not” emphasize about the speaker?
Ans: The speaker regrets not speaking out because he was not being targeted and ignored those who were.
Q.4. How does the structure of the text develop the concept of consequences of inaction?
Ans: By repeating the phrases, “they came for us” and “because I was not”
Q.5. How does the repetition used in the text contribute to its overall meaning?
Ans: The repetition used in the text contributes to its overall meaning by emphasizing the significance of the character’s reaction to the injustice he witnesses. The repetition of phrases such as “he saw” and “new meaning” highlights the character’s growing awareness and understanding of the situation. It conveys his fear and trepidation as he realizes the deeper implications of what he is witnessing. The repetition also serves to emphasize the importance of this particular moment in the story, as it is a turning point for the character’s perception and understanding of the world around him.
You can find answer keys for other grade 8 topics below:
=> AT A WINDOW
=> UPSWING
=> THE DISTRACTED TEENAGE BRAIN
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Conclusion
In CommonLit, “FIRST THEY CAME” is one of the students’ favorite quotations authored by Martin Niemöller for grade 8 students.
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Hi, I’m Annie Smith, and I’ve been a teacher for over 5 years and have taught students at all levels. I love to help students get ahead of their exams and provide helpful guides on various topics.