Maya Angelou

According to the text, what did Maya Angelou face in her difficult childhood?

• discrimination and a divided family

• illness and homelessness

• struggle to read and write

• bullying and discrimination

The text sequences major events in Maya Angelou’s life. What happened in Maya Angelou’s life in January 1993?

• She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama.

• She was asked by President-elect Bill Clinton to recite a poem at his inauguration.

• She went to live with her grandmother in Arkansas.

• She published her first autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.

Read the following sentences from the text:

“In 1969, she published her first autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. It was her biggest literary success. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is still taught in many schools and colleges.

[. . .]

“She was asked by President-elect Bill Clinton to recite a poem at his inauguration . She was only the second poet in U.S. history to have that honor. Later, Angelou was awarded the 2010 Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama.”

What statement from the text does this information support?

• Her loving grandmother taught her the value of hard work and education.

• Through education, Angelou started to discover the power of her voice.

• Angelou had a difficult childhood in which she faced discrimination and a divided family.

• Maya Angelou is celebrated for her contributions to literature, the arts, and the fight for equality and civil rights.

How could Maya Angelou best be described?

• shy and hesitant

• honest and loud

• strong and creative

• rebellious and rude

What is the main idea of this passage?

• People who are mute as children have a hard time becoming actors and singers.

• Maya Angelou and her brother did many jobs together as teens.

• Maya Angelou had a successful career, despite the hardships she had faced.

• President Clinton enjoyed the poetry of Maya Angelou.

Read the following sentences: “As a young girl, Angelou suffered some terrible experiences. The challenges of her early life led Maya to become mute. She did not speak for almost five years.”

As used in this sentence, what does “mute” mean?

• not able to hear properly

• not able to see properly

• not willing or able to talk

• unable to walk without help

Choose the answer that best completes the sentence below.

Maya Angelou had some terrible experiences in her childhood, _______ she refused to speak for almost five years.

though

because

so

• even though

• though

• because

• so