Cub Pilot on the Mississippi Review

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.8.1

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.

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CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.4

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.

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CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.8.2

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.

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CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.8.4

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

• a. lazy

• b. incompetent

• c. kindhearted

• d. forgetful

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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

Brown fails to hear Henry’s shouted instruction to stop at a landing because

• a. he dislikes Henry and always ignores him

• b. he is too busy yelling at Twain

• c. he has fallen asleep at the wheel

• d. he is deaf

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CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.3

Which of the following best answers the question, Why does the narrator continue the attack on Brown with such pleasure?

• a. to defend Henry against Brown’s attack

• b. out of hatred and frustration

• c. because he is by nature a violent person

• d. because he might not have another opportunity to do so

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CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.8.3

Which of the following best describes the captain’s attitude toward Twain after the attack on Brown?

• a. supportive

• b. sad

• c. angry

• d. surprised

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CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.3

Which of these personal qualities does Twain discover as a result of his conflict with Brown?

• a. courage

• b. recklessness

• c. steering skill

• d. sense of humor

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CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.W.8.9A