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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

• a. lazy

• b. incompetent

• c. kindhearted

• d. forgetful

Tags

CCSS.L.8.5C

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.8.4

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

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CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.8.3

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