A Mighty Long Way Review Chapters 1-5

Carlotta tries to ask Big Daddy about the Walls family history, however he will only respond by telling her what she already knew, "Look, all you need to know is my grandfather owned land." Why would Big Daddy not want to discuss family history? (p.11)

• Big Daddy did not like to talk about anything. He was short on words

• Big Daddy only wanted to focus on the positive past of his families history and to leave the rest of the past in the past.

• Discussing the past made Big Daddy sad so he avoided talking about it.

• Big Daddy only wanted to think about opportunities for the future.

In Chapter 1, Carlotta has her first experience with racism with her mother. Where were they?

• On a bus

• Walking down the street

• Wanting to eat at a lunch counter

• Walking into a movie theater

What valuable lesson, from the experience in Question 2, did Carlotta learn from both of her parents?

• She should acknowledge people's ignorant statements and let them know why they are wrong.

• She was warned to keep her head down and remove herself from the situation as quickly as possible.

• She was encouraged to always stand up for herself.

• She should never respond in anger to the ramblings of ignorant people

In Chapter 2, Carlotta begins considering what an education from Central High School would mean to her future. What significant event occurs around this time that makes her consider this a possibility?

• Plessy vs. Ferguson is passed

• Brown vs. The Board of Education is passed

• Martin Luther King plans the March on Washington

• Mrs. Bates encourages her to think about this option.

In Chapter 3, the author compares the choosing of the Little Rock Nine to attend Central to the progress of Jackie Robinson's baseball career into the Major Leagues. In what ways were they similar? (p.60)

• Both had the character and temperament that made them acceptable by their respective institutions to be able to handle the racists attacks sure to come.

• Both came from middle upper class families so they were deemed by the different institutions that would prevent them from suffering from racist attacks.

• Both Jackie Robinson and the Little Rock Nine were individuals whose families were strong in their community and people respected them so they thought there would not be problems.

• The Little Rock Nine and Jackie Robinson were not similar at all. They both had very different stories.

On September 4, Carlotta prepares for her first day of school. She meets her comrades and a group of community leaders who walk together up the street. What happens to the group when they get to the school.

• The students enter the school without incident

• The angry mob makes them angry and they get sent home

• The Arkansas National Guard blocks the students from entering the school

• The mob greets them with cheers and are glad to see them

Carlotta had tremendous respect for Mrs. Bates. What character traits does the author use to describe her? (p.73-75)

• Activist, advocate lady who was tough to her core

• Pushover, easy to manipulate but headstrong

• Strong, rude and overbearing

• Very low -key, gentle and reassuring

On p. 81 the author says, "Outdoors, a storm raged, casting a gloomy pall over the entire city. The weather was mimicking my mood." What word describes Carlotta's mood?

• rainy

• angry

• uncertain

• frustrated

Who finally has to intervene in order for the Little Rock Nine to be able to attend Central?

• President Eisenhower

• President Kennedy

• Governor Faubus

• Governor Clinton

Who became the Little Rock Nine's escorts for the remainder of their first year at Central.

• Little Rock Police Department

• The 101st Airborne Unit

• The Navy Seals

• Army Special Forces