John Henry

How do lines 11-15 propel the action of the poem?

• It establishes the significance of the steam drill.

• It describes the setting of the poem.

• It introduces the character and the plot.

• It provides a summary of the events to follow.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

Read the incomplete summary. Which sentence from the answer choices should be added to make it a complete and accurate summary?

As a baby, John Henry predicts his own death. As an adult, John Henry works for the C.&O. Railroad hammering railroad spikes. He challenges a new invention, the steam drill, and bets that he can drive the nails in faster than it can.

• Women weep after John Henry dies.

• John Henry's challenge becomes legendary after he beats the steam drill and dies in the effort.

• Baby John Henry was right and dude straight keels over.

• John Henry dies trying to beat the steam drill, and his name becomes known for his stupidity.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Which statement represents a theme of the poem?

• Do not fight battles you cannot win.

• Human strength should be valued over machines.

• Have pride in your abilities.

• Do not drive steel so quickly your guts fall out.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Which set of lines from the poem refine the theme?

• "Gonna take that steam drill out on the job, / Gonna whop that steel on down"

• "Cap'n, bet yo' las, red cent on me / Fo' I'll beat it to the bottom or I'll die"

• "The rock so tall an' John Henry so small, / That he lied down his hammer an' he cried."

• "He broke a rib in his lef'-han' side, / An' his intrels fell on the groun'"

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

Read the last stanza of the poem. Which idea does the speaker communicate about John Henry in the lines?

All the womens in the Wes',

When they heared of John Henry's death,

Stood in the rain, flagged the eas'-boun' train,

Goin' where John Henry fell dead,

Lawd, Lawd, goin' where John Henry fell dead."

• He is a celebrated figure.

• The women have nothing better to do.

• He is worth standing out in the rain to be able to meet.

• People needed to see for themselves that he had died.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

Which phrase replaces "flagged" in line 68?

"Stood in the rain, flagged the eas'-boun' train."

• ended the race

• gave a sign to stop

• held off for later

• marked as important

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

How does the incident in lines 6-10 determine John Henry's actions?

• It causes John Henry to want to prove himself.

• It causes John Henry to doubt his abilities.

• It causes John Henry to confront his boss about replacing him.

• It causes John Henry to treat his boss rudely.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

What line supports the inference that John Henry was destined to die with a hammer in his hand?

• "Fo' I'll beat it to the bottom or I'll die"

• "Oh, the captain said to John Henry, / 'I b'lieve this mountain's sinkin' in.'"

• "Look younger what I see -- / Yo' drill's done broke an' yo' hole's done choke, An' you cain' drive steel like me."

• "John Henry was a lil baby, / Sittin' on his mama's knee, / Said: 'The Big Bend Tunnel on the C.&O. road / Gonna cause the death of me"

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

What tone is established in lines 51-55?

• an envious tone

• a weary tone

• a prideful tone

• a polite tone

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

How does the poem create suspense?

• by using repetition to keep the reader guessing about what will happen

• by having John Henry repeat that he would rather die than be beat by the steam drill

• by using descriptive language to reveal everyone's surprise when John Henry wins

• by contrasting baby John Henry's prediction with his actual fate

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.9