1. Complete the sentence: Mr. Escalante said, "Students will rise to the level of ."

expectations

Explanation:

Jaime Escalante was a Bolivian-American teacher who taught his students calculus at the Garfield High School in East Los Angeles, United States. He featured in the 1988 American drama film, titled, Stand and Deliver.  

Escalante seeks to change the school culture to help the students excel in academics. He delivered a powerful message to students, “students will rise to the level of expectations”.

(you didn't attach a copy of the poem, but i'm answering as best as i can)

since a simile compares two unlike things using like or as, it kind of gives an item the ability to do something it can't.

example: "the player was like a tiger on the field"

in this sentence, the simile conveys the idea that the player was fast and strong, like a tiger.