Lesson 2: My Brother Martin Reading Comprehension

What is the author’s MAIN purpose for writing this article?

• to persuade readers to treat each other with respect and kindness

• to describe life in Atlanta during segregation

• to inform readers of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s young life

• to entertain readers with a story of three siblings

How does the reader learn the purpose of the article?

• It is stated by the author.

• It is told by a character.

• It is identified in the last paragraph.

• It is implied by the author.

Why does the author tell how the children used the fur piece?

• to show when they learned their skin color caused them pain.

• to show how much they loved their grandmother.

• to show that they liked to play jokes on people.

• to show why they were always in trouble.

Which word BEST describes how the author feels about M.L.?

• jealous

• angry

• respectful

• nervous

What job did the children’s father have?

• writer

• singer

• musician

• minister

The author says that some restaurants refused to serve us and hotels wouldn’t give us rooms. What historical fact do these details show?

• segregation laws in the south before the Civil Rights Movement

• unfair treatment in the north after the Civil Rights Movement

• difficulties large families had in the 1940s

• difficulties poor families had in the 1940s

What does M.L. mean when he says these words to his mother? Mother Dear, one day I’m going to turn this world upside down.

• He intends to search for something he lost.

• He intends to travel around the world.

• He intends to fight for racial justice.

• He intends to play tricks on people.

What historical event do these closing words suggest? And when he was much older, my brother M.L. dreamed a dream...

• Martin Luther King’s election to office.

• Martin Luther King’s violent death.

• Martin Luther King’s most famous speech.

• Martin Luther King’s retirement from work.

What does the author mean when she says that Daddy practiced what he preached?

• Daddy lived up to the beliefs he taught.

• Daddy gave the same sermons to everyone.

• Daddy had difficulty speaking.

• Daddy memorized his sermons.

What happened when Daddy went to buy shoes for M.L.?

• Daddy refused to be served at the back of the store.

• Daddy took a job selling shoes.

• Daddy did not have enough money to buy the shoes.

• Daddy got into a fight with the store owner.