John Henry- Plot

What is John Henry known for?

• strength and being a hard worker

• weakness and a hard worker

• being tall

• being small

How was the story resolved?

• John Henry proved himself, but died.

• John Henry won, and lived to celebrate.

• The Steam Drill won, and John Henry died.

• The Steam Drill won, and John Henry was sad.

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.

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 

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.

How does the conflict 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.

How is suspense created?

• by having everyone cheer

• by showing John thinking he was done, and feeling disappointed

• by his wife singing

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