Quick Check 3 in English 5

He Loved Music

by Jane Hurley and Doris McGee Haynes

"Take that guitar out of this house! It's sinful," said Mr. Handy.

"Yes, sir," said his son William. "Take it back to the store," Mr. Handy went on. "Buy a book. A book will do you more good than music."

William felt like crying. He had worked hard all year.. He had sold fruits, nuts, and soap. And he had saved his money.

William had saved his money to buy a guitar. He loved music, and he wanted to learn to play the guitar. But now his father wanted him to take it back. His father thought music and musical instruments were sinful.

William did take the guitar back to the store. But he didn't stop loving music. And he didn't stop wanting to learn about it. At school, William took all the music courses he could. He learned how to play many kinds of instruments. And he learned how to sing well.

When he got out of school, he had to find a job. He loved music. So he got a job with a singing group. The group sang in clubs. And they sang in churches. They sang in many parts of the United States.

But they didn't make much money. So William quit. He had tried to earn his living through music. But he hadn't had much luck.

William left the group in St. Louis, Missouri. He tried to get a new job. But it was hard. The year was 1896. And at that time very few people wanted to hire a black man.

After a while William decided to go back into music. So he got a job with a band. He played a cornet. A cornet is something like a trumpet.

One night William was playing with the band. And he began to think about the hard times he'd had. Soon his music showed the sadness he felt. The people listening to the band liked this sad music. They called it "blues" because of the sad sound.

William thought more and more about the hard times he'd had.

He thought most about the hard times he'd had in St. Louis. And he wrote a song about them. He called the song the "St. Louis Blues."

William C. Handy wrote many other songs, too. And his songs are still enjoyed today. They are enjoyed by people all over the world.

Multiple Choice

This story is mostly about ___________.

• how William Handy learned to play the guitar

• how music was a big part of William Handy's life

• how William Handy wrote the "St. Louis Blues"

Multiple Choice

You know William cared about his guitar because ___________.

• he had worked hard all year to earn it

• he refused to take it back to the store

• he played it for his father all the time

Multiple Choice

Because William kept going back to music, you know that he ____________.

• needed music to make money

• wanted to become very famous

• felt strongly about his music

Multiple Choice

William Handy is remembered today because ____________.

• he was the first black cornet player

• he wrote many great blues songs

• he sang in clubs and churches

Multiple Choice

When people feel "blue," ___________.

• they feel sinful

• they feel musical

• they feel unhappy

Open Ended

Use the following adverb in a sensible sentence.

rapidly(manner)

Open Ended

Use the following adverb in a sensible sentence.

completely(degree)