The Legend of John Henry

The author wants you to know that John Henry was...

• a hard worker

• lazy

• very weak

When did John Henry take a job?

• when he got fired from another job

• after he was a free man (not a slave anymore)

• after WW1

The story of John Henry is considered a ___

• a legend

• myth

• fable

John Henry is best known for___

• beating a steam-powered machine with his own strength

• growing up as a slave

• signing songs on the railroad

Why did John Henry agree to race against the machine?

• he wanted to win a prize

• he wanted to save the workers' jobs

• he wanted to show off

• he wanted to be paid more

If a boss is going to fire you, this means___

• pay more money

• give you a job

• light a match

• end your job

How do you know this story is a legend or could be exaggerated?

• He was born as a slave.

• John Henry grew so fast his pants did not fit from morning to that night.

• John Henry was born before there were cars and planes.

When did John Henry begin work on the railroad?

• before he became the strongest man around

• after the little man came to the work camp

• after the Civil War ended

Did the workers' get nervous when the little man came with the machine?

• yes

• no

Why did the workers' get nervous when the machine was introduced?

• they were afraid the machine would run over them

• they were afraid they would lose their jobs