Cub Pilot on the Mississippi

According to Twain, what was the chief benefit of the two and a half years he spent

working on riverboats?

• developing his manual skills

• learning geography

• learning how to work with people

• gaining insight into human nature

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

Which of the following best summarizes this description of Brown?

He was a middle-aged, long, slim, bony, smooth-shaven, horse-faced, ignorant,

stingy, malicious, snarling, fault-hunting, mote-magnifying tyrant.

• The narrator despises him.

• The narrator has a grudging respect for him.

• You can’t judge a book by its cover.

• You can find humor in the least likely places.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

What does this passage indicate about how Twain and Brown will get along as the

story unfolds?

Brown was at the wheel. I paused in the middle of the room all fixed to make my

bow, but Brown did not look around. I thought he took a furtive glance at me out

of the corner of his eye, but as not even this notice was repeated, I judged I had

been mistaken.

• The relationship between Twain and Brown will be full of conflict.

• The relationship between Twain and Brown will be friendly.

• The relationship between Twain and Brown will be warm.

• The relationship between Twain and Brown will be of no importance.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

Which of the following items best identifies an idiom?

• a direct comparison between two unlike things

• an expression used by people of a particular region or background

• a reference to an historical event

• a statement foreshadowing a future event in a story’s plot

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.5

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Why do you think Brown examined Twain’s shoes so carefully?

• to make Twain feel uncomfortable and self-conscious

• to be sure that Twain was using proper hygiene

• because he admired the shoes

• because he was curious

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

What emotion is conveyed in this passage?

As soon as I could get my voice I said apologetically: “I have had no orders, sir.”

• a. eagerness

• b. happiness

• c. fear

• d. hate

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

What can you infer about the conflict between Twain and Brown from this passage?

The moment I was in the presence, even in the darkest night, I could feel those yellow

eyes upon me, and knew their owner was watching for a pretext to spit out

some venom on me.

• a. Brown imagines that Twain dislikes him.

• b. Brown dislikes Twain because of his poor job performance.

• c. Brown is trying to help Twain.

• d. Brown’s dislike for Twain is just part of Brown’s personality.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

In contrast to Brown, George Ealer, George Ritchie’s boss, is

• a. lazy

• b. incompetent

• c. kindhearted

• d. forgetful

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

George Richie takes great pleasure in

• a. playing pranks on Brown

• b. teasing Twain about Brown

• c. showing up Twain in front of Brown

• d. showing up Twain in front of Ealer

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Which item below best expresses the meaning of cramp in the following sentence?

“I told you not to cramp that reef. G’way from the wheel!”

• a. touch

• b. get too close to

• c. go to the left side of

• d. coast by

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4