from "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass"
Quiz
•
English
•
8th Grade
•
Practice Problem
•
Hard
+21
Standards-aligned
Samantha Tees
Used 941+ times
FREE Resource
About this resource
This quiz focuses on literary analysis and reading comprehension of Frederick Douglass's autobiography, specifically examining students' ability to analyze narrative structure, literary devices, author's purpose, and textual evidence. Designed for 8th grade students, the questions assess critical thinking skills including identifying genre characteristics, interpreting figurative language, analyzing character development, and drawing conclusions from textual evidence. Students must demonstrate their understanding of how authors use literary techniques to convey meaning, particularly Douglass's use of metaphor, contrast, and first-person narration to illustrate the transformative power of literacy and the psychological impact of slavery. The quiz requires students to synthesize information across multiple paragraphs, understand vocabulary in context, and recognize how authors structure their arguments to create emotional impact and convey complex themes about freedom, knowledge, and human dignity. Created by Samantha Tees, an English teacher in the US who teaches grade 8. This assessment serves as an excellent tool for evaluating students' comprehension of classic American literature while reinforcing essential reading skills. Teachers can utilize this quiz as a formative assessment following close reading activities, as homework to reinforce classroom discussions, or as a review before summative assessments on autobiographical literature. The questions effectively prepare students for standardized testing formats while deepening their appreciation for how authors craft meaning through deliberate word choice and structural decisions. This quiz aligns with Common Core State Standards RL.8.1 (citing textual evidence), RL.8.3 (analyzing character development), RL.8.4 (determining meaning of words and phrases), and RL.8.6 (analyzing point of view), making it a comprehensive assessment tool for middle school English language arts instruction.
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9 questions
Show all answers
1.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
The selection can best be identified as an autobiography because —
it has a narrator describing real people
it has historical figures in authentic settings
it is told in first person about actual events
it is told in third person with accurate facts
Tags
CCSS.RI.11-12.10
CCSS.RI.6.10
CCSS.RI.7.10
CCSS.RI.8.10
CCSS.RI.9-10.10
2.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
In paragraph 2 of the selection, Douglass calls his mistress tigerlike to emphasize how —
threatening she became when she decided to deny him an education
conflicted she was about whether to hate or enjoy being a slave owner
forceful she was when it came to caring for the hungry or needy
angry she became when she witnessed her husband mistreating the slaves
Tags
CCSS.RL.2.6
CCSS.RL.8.3
3.
MULTIPLE SELECT QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
Which two sentences correctly use pronoun antecedents.
My mistress set her face against my being instructed by anyone else.
Slaveholders have an unwritten duty to care for his chattel.
My mistress fed the hungry and comforted every mourner within their reach.
When my mistress ceased to instruct me it was her first step in a downward course.
I give the names of those little boys as a testimonial of the gratitude I bear him.
Tags
CCSS.RI.7.10
CCSS.RI.8.10
CCSS.RI.9-10.10
CCSS.RL.8.10
CCSS.RL.9-10.10
4.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
What is the most likely reason the author included paragraph 5 in the selection?
To suggest that a book gave him hope that someday he could be free
To show that reading is an important step in gaining knowledge
To show that he was thinking about running away from his master
To suggest that he could converse with his master if he were well-read
Tags
CCSS.RI.7.2
CCSS.RI.8.2
CCSS.RL.7.2
CCSS.RL.8.2
CCSS.RL.9-10.2
5.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
Which of these conclusions about Douglass’s unutterable anguish is supported by paragraph 6?
He sees that his life would have been in turmoil even if he had not become a slave.
He sees that there is no such thing as truth or human rights in the world.
He realizes that his master is correct that he should not have learned how to read.
He realizes that reading the book has shown him what he is missing by being enslaved.
Tags
CCSS.RI.7.2
CCSS.RI.8.2
CCSS.RL.6.2
CCSS.RL.7.2
CCSS.RL.8.2
6.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
Which words from paragraph 6 help the reader understand what unabated means?
mighty speeches
choice documents
interesting thoughts
frequently flashed
Tags
CCSS.RI.7.4
CCSS.RI.8.4
CCSS.RI.9-10.4
CCSS.RL.8.4
CCSS.RL.9-10.4
7.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
Through the experiences described in this excerpt, Douglass gained ---
gratitude for his master's and mistress's actions
a belief that people are not to be trusted
more knowledge about the problem of slavery
pleasure in spending time with his white friends
Tags
CCSS.RI.7.2
CCSS.RI.8.2
CCSS.RL.7.2
CCSS.RL.8.2
CCSS.RL.9-10.2
8.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
Which sentence from the excerpt best demonstrates Douglass’s feelings about reading after he learned about slavery?
In the same book, I met with one of Sheridan’s mighty speeches on and in behalf of Catholic emancipation.
In moments of agony, I envied my fellow-slaves for their stupidity.
It was pressed upon me by every object within sight or hearing, animate or inanimate.
I heard nothing without hearing it, and felt nothing without feeling it.
Tags
CCSS.RL.2.6
CCSS.RL.8.3
9.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
Why does Douglass first describe his mistress as “a kind and tender-hearted woman”?
To contrast with her later, cruel behavior
To show how much he wanted to learn to read
To prove that some slaveholders were caring
To emphasize his good fortune
Tags
CCSS.RL.5.6
CCSS.RL.6.6
CCSS.RL.7.6
CCSS.RL.8.6
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