The People Could Fly

Why did the people lose their wings? Cite textual evidence from the excerpt below.

"They say the people could fly. Say that long ago in Africa, some of the people knew magic. And they would walk upon the air like climbin’ up on a gate. And they flew like blackbirds over the fields. Black, shiny wings flappin’ against the blue up there.

Then, many of the people were captured for Slavery. The ones that could fly shed their wings. They couldn’t take their wings across the water on slave ships. Too crowded, don’t you know."

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.W.7.9A

Which sentence from the excerpt best shows the folktale has been passed from one person to another?

• “The ones that could fly shed their wings.”

• “So they forgot about flyin’ when they could no longer breathe the sweet scent of Africa.”

• “‘I must go soon,’ she told him.”

• “But it was, because they that was there saw that it was.”

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.1

What does this description of the man that calls himself Master mostly reveal about his character?

“The owner of the slaves callin’ himself their Master. Say he was a hard lump of clay. A hard, glinty coal. A hard rock pile, wouldn’t be moved.”

• It shows the man is tough and uncaring toward others.

• It shows the man is easily fooled but difficult to please.

• It shows the man has a body that is muscled but misshapen.

• It shows the man has land with valuable materials and earth.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.W.7.9A

Which of the following moments best shows when Sarah realizes she must leave?

• When she realizes the Overseer thinks she is lying to him

• When she realizes that she can fly to Africa to be with family

• When she realizes that Toby is unable to keep her safe in the fields

• When she realizes her baby is in danger of being physically harmed

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CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.7.3

Which inference can be best made about the Driver in the folktale?

• He is considerate.

• He leads other men.

• He is cruel to others.

• He questions authority.

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CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.W.7.9A

Which sentence from the excerpt most strongly supports the answer to Question 5?

• “He pointed his finger at the babe.”

• “The Driver cracked his whip across the babe anyhow.”

• “He raised his arms, holding them out to her.”

• “The Overseer rode after her, hollerin’.”

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

Why is Sarah able to fly without wings at the end of the folktale?

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.2