John Henry Tall Tale

What is a tall tale?

• A tall tale is a true story retold with expression and exaggeration.
• A tall tale is a story with characters and usually has a bully.
• A tall tale is an exaggerated story often with a hero or heroine.  
• A tall tale is a story you tell while standing up tall.

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When writing a tall tale, the author's purpose is ________.

• to inform
• to entertain
• to persuade
• to explain a process

The author of this story would most likely agree that John Henry

• was a hero to the people who knew him.
• was an angry man who always needed to prove his strength
• did not live his life to the fullest
• was foolish for racing a steam drill and dying because of it.

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People admired John Henry because he could do things no other man can do. You can say that __________

• our differences are what makes us special
• the weak fear the strong
• men sometimes beat machines
• being the best means working hard

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Which of the following is an opinion?

• John Henry should not have raced against the machine.
• John Henry was born a slave.
• John Henry became a steel driver.
• John Henry went to work for the railroad.

What word means the same as locomotive as used in the following sentences.
"John Henry never got tired.  John Henry was like a locomotive.  He was fast and powerful."

• computer
• engine
• hammer
• tugboat 

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What is the best summary for the tall tale of John Henry?

• John Henry was born a slave who later went to work for the railroad.  The boss wanted to fire men to have a steam drill do the work of the men.  John Henry raced the drill and won.  His heart burst and he died.
• John Henry was a slave who made men help him lay railroad tracks.  They worked in the hot summer sun til one day the foreman wanted to fire all of the men.  John Henry told him he could do the work just as good as any machine.  He raced the drill and won.  The people celebrated John Henry for his strength.
• John Henry was born with a hammer in his hand.  He worked on hot summer days to lay railroad tracks.  One day the boss wanted to fire all of the men.  John Henry got mad and made the men work at full speed to work as fast as the steam drill.  Everyone was able to keep their jobs.  
• John Henry was born a slave who helped build railroad tracks.  He was so fast many people wanted to race him.  One day they brought a machine to race John Henry.  He still went faster than the machine.  He worked so hard he had a heart attack and died.

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