Harriet Tubman Ch. 15-19

Which of the following statements best explains why Harriet would not let anyone leave and return to their plantations?

• A. She believed that if they turned back, the others from the group would leave with them.

• B. She believed that it was her duty to make sure that each and every person who left with her made it North.

• C. She knew that they would never make it back to the plantation without someone to guide them.

• D. She knew that they would be forced to tell the master all about the Underground Railroad.

Answer explanation

The text explains that Harriet believed anyone who returned to a plantation would become a traitor, forced to tell the master about the path they took, which would shut down the entire Underground Railroad.

Which inference is best supported by Harriet’s decision not to tell her mother that they were there (page 158)?

• A. Harriet was worried that Old Rit would make too much noise and they would be caught.

• B. Harriet knew that Old Rit could not keep the secret about where they were hiding.

• C. Harriet suspected that Old Rit would insist on going with them to the North.

• D. Harriet thought Old Rit would be angry at them and turn Ben against them as well.

Answer explanation

The text says that Harriet worried that her mother would laugh and shout upon seeing them, as well as try to prevent them from leaving, which would end with them be caught.

What is most closely the meaning of the word earmark as it appears in the text (page 186)?

• A. noun | any identifying or distinguishing mark or characteristic

• B. noun | a mark of identification made on the ear of an animal to show ownership

• C. verb | to set aside for a specific purpose, use, recipient, etc.

• D. verb | to mark in a distinguishing manner

Answer explanation

The word earmark is used to describe torn clothing as a distinguishing characteristic of a runaway enslaved person.

Which of the following best explains why Ben refused to look at his children when they were hiding nearby?

• A. Since two strangers were the ones that came to his cabin, he didn’t actually believe his children were there.

• B. He was afraid that he would see that they needed help, which would cause him to try and make them stay.

• C. Ben was an honest man, so this decision allowed him to tell the truth if anyone asked if he had seen his children.

• D. Ben was secretly worried that it was a trap to test if he would help his children if they ran away.

Answer explanation

Ben knew that if he actually looked at his children, he would not be able to tell anyone that he had not seen them.

Which of these inferences about Harriet is best supported by William Still’s comment that she had an “adventurous spirit and utter disregard of consequences”?

• A. Harriet was not able to learn from the consequences of her actions, which made her a risk to travel with even though she was never caught.

• B. Harriet was able to help so many people escape because she was never afraid of the journey or of getting caught.

• C. Harriet went back and forth from Maryland so many times because she craved the adventure of the journey.

• D. Harriet was reckless in her travels, always looking for a new adventure which put everyone else in danger.

Answer explanation

Harriet’s adventurous spirit urged her to go back and help more people escape, and her disregard for consequences was shown through her complete lack of worry that she would get caught.

Which statement best explains why Harriet was worried about the pursuit of her group with Joe Bailey?

• A. Joe was a large and slow man, which meant they could not move as fast as they usually did.

• B. Harriet worried that Joe had told other people where he was going and who he was with.

• C. Harriet suspected that someone had figured out she was there and wanted to stop her.

• D. Joe’s master paid a lot of money for him, so he would be motivated to find him quickly.

Answer explanation

Harriet was worried that people would come looking for Joe a lot faster than some of the other runaways because his master had paid more money for him.Harriet was worried that people would come looking for Joe a lot faster than some of the other runaways because his master had paid more money for him.

The author suggests that Harriet does not fear getting caught mainly by.

• A. having her laugh at a reward poster for her capture

• B. having her group walk along the road at daylight

• C. attempting to trick the people guarding the bridge herself

• D. allowing Joe to sing loudly as they walked

Answer explanation

Harriet laughed at the reward poster they found for her capture, and said that no one would ever be able to catch her.

Which statement best explains why Harriet was hesitant to help John Brown?

• A. She didn’t think that he was very prepared for the revolt that he wanted to lead.

• B. She worried about the level of violence, which reminded her of Nat Turner’s Rebellion.

• C. She didn’t know him very well, so she worried about what he was actually going to do.

• D. She thought that he might try to get her involved and she did not want to leave Boston.

Answer explanation

Harriet worried that the level of violence involved in John Brown’s plans would not turn out well, as it reminded her of Nat Turner's Rebellion.

ties a blindfold over their eyes so they cannot see their children

joins the group of runaways late because of the birth of their child