John Henry, the Hammerman

What is the setting for the story?

• during Revolutionary War in Boston

• around the time of the Civil War in the South

• during the Civil Rights Movement in Alabama

• 1900's in New England

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

What inference can we make about John Henry?

• he was a slave

• he didn't love his parents

• he wanted to go to war

• he was unsure of himself

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

What is the purpose of the following statement from the story?

"I dreamed that the railroad was going to be the end of me and I'd die with a hammer in my hand."

• to reveal character

• to foreshadow future events

• to share the theme

• to reveal the setting

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.2.6

Which character traits best describe John Henry?

• quick tempered and impulsive

• shy and nervous

• selfish and rude

• confident and determined

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

Which does the best job of foreshadowing the end of the story?

• "He could drive for ten hours at a stretch and never miss a stroke."

• "There was a black thundercloud . . . John Henry felt a small chill between his shoulder blades."

• "I'm feeling like sunrise."

• "And on that day that Polly Ann said she would marry him, John Henry almost burst his throat with singing."

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

How did John Henry get so good at being a steel driving man?

• Lots of practice.

• He read lots of books on the subject.

• He was born knowing how.

• He was trained by an expert.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.7.5

What does it foreshadow when John Henry says, "I ain't tired yet. Only, I have a roaring in my ears."

• He is going to die.

• He loves Polly Ann.

• He and Li'l Willie will be best friends forever.

• He is going to lose to the steam engine.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

What is the climax of the story?

• When John marries Polly Ann.

• When he gets a job as a steel driving man.

• When he has the dream about his death.

• When he races against the steam engine.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

Which theme best fits the story?

• Practice makes perfect. You have to put your time into practicing.

• True love never dies. Don't give up on love.

• People can accomplish a good deal without machines. Don't be too reliant on technology.

• John beats the steam engine.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What type of figurative language is this sentence from the story?

"The hammer flashed again, whirring through the air like a giant hummingbird."

• personification

• metaphor

• simile

• hyperbole

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.5.3