Malcolm X

Famous African Americans:

Malcolm X

Friday Quiz Lv. 2

In 1925, a boy was born in Omaha, Nebraska. His name was Malcolm Little. At his birth, no one realized that he would grow up to be one of the most influential African American leaders of all time. The little boy would become an important defender of African American rights.

Malcolm was inspired by his father and by his own experiences. Malcolm’s father was heavily involved in fighting racism. In 1931, he was found dead on some streetcar tracks. Malcolm strongly believed that his father was murdered by white racists.

After his father’s death, Malcolm’s mother couldn’t cope. Eventually, she was committed to a mental hospital. He was forced to spend the rest of his childhood in foster homes.

In his late teens, Malcolm moved to Boston and New York. He turned to a life of crime. When he was twenty, he was put in prison for stealing.

While in prison, Malcolm found his calling in life. He joined a group called the Nation of Islam. This meant he became a Muslim. He decided to fight for the rights of African Americans. He read all he could to educate himself about the world.

Malcolm was released from prison in 1952. He adopted the last name “X.” The “X” stood for the unknown African names of his slave ancestors. From then on, he was known as Malcolm X.

Malcolm spent the next 13 years fighting to end racism. He remained a Muslim, but left the Nation of Islam. This caused problems with the group’s leaders. On February 21, 1965, Malcolm was assassinated. His death was mourned by many people around the country.

Multiple Choice

1. Why did Malcolm change his last name to X?

• because his old last name was too hard to pronounce

• he never explained to the public why he changed his name

• to represent the unknown names of his African ancestors

• because he did not want to go by his father’s last name

Multiple Choice

2. According to the text, what events happened after Malcolm X was released from prison?

• First, Malcolm adopted the last name X. Then, he spent 13 years fighting racism. Finally, he was assassinated.

• First, Malcolm converted to Islam. Then, he became a leader of the Nation of Islam. Finally, he was assassinated.

• First, Malcolm left the Nation of Islam. Then, he changed his last name to X. Finally, he married his wife and had a family.

• First, Malcolm returned to Boston. Then, he converted to Christianity. Finally, he converted back to Islam.

Multiple Choice

3. Read these sentences from the text.

Malcolm was inspired by his father and by his own experiences. Malcolm’s father was heavily involved in fighting racism. In 1931, he was found dead on some streetcar tracks. Malcolm strongly believed that his father was murdered by white racists.

What can you conclude about Malcolm’s father’s death based on this evidence?

• His father’s death had no impact on his life.

• His father’s death led him to leave New York.

• His father’s death inspired him to join the Nation of Islam.

• His father’s death had an important effect on his views of racism.

Multiple Choice

4. Based on the text, what was probably the most important effect of Malcolm X’s time in prison?

• He was punished for his crime of stealing.

• He realized that he had been bad.

• He decided to fight racism when he got out.

• He gave many important speeches in prison.

Multiple Choice

5. What is this text mostly about?

• how Malcolm X got along with his foster parents

• Malcolm X’s life and how he became an activist

• why Malcolm X left the Nation of Islam

• the most important speeches given by Malcolm X

Multiple Choice

6. Read these sentences from the text.

Malcolm was inspired by his father and by his own experiences. Malcolm’s father was heavily involved in fighting racism.

As used in these sentences, what does the word "inspired" most nearly mean?

• coached in sports

• abandoned

• got in trouble

• given ideas by

Multiple Choice

7. Choose the answer that best completes the sentence.

Malcolm X was forced to spend the rest of his childhood in foster homes ________ his father died and his mother was admitted into a mental hospital.

• before

• although

• after

• so

Open Ended

8. According to the text, what did Malcolm X decide to fight for while he was in prison?

Open Ended

9. Based on the text, explain why Malcolm X was mourned by many people. Use evidence from the text to support your answer.