The People Could Fly

What is the lesson that is being taught by the folk tale "The People Could Fly"?

• Even in the worst of circumstances, people hold onto hope and the promise of freedom.

• Toby's knowledge of African magic saved the people who could fly

• The others who could not fly were abandoned on the plantations

• Never give up your freedom even when there is no hope.

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Why did the people who could fly shed their wings and stop flying?

• because they were treated brutally on plantations

• because they forgot how to fly

• because they could not take their wings on the slave ships

• because the slave owners put chains on them

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What seems most important to remember about the characters who "could no longer breathe the sweet scent of Africa"?

• Some still had The secret power of flying, though they look like everyone else.

• Sam still had the secret power of flying though they looked like blackbirds.

• Some shed their wings and forgot about flying.

• The folks were full of misery and got sick.

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When summarizing a story, include information about the most important characters and events. Reread lines 98 - 109. Which of the following best summarizes what is MOST important about old Toby and the people who could fly?

• The slave old Toby is a seer. They rose in the air. They flew away to freedom.

• The old slave Toby is a seer. The bent backs straightened up. Old and young who were called slaves and could fly joined hands.

• Old Toby is a seer. He still remembers the ancient magical words that cause all the people who could fly to raise into the air to freedom. Old Toby flies, too.

• Toby still remembers the ancient magical words that cause all the people who could fly, but he doesn't use them. Toby remains a slave overseer. Toby is killed by the slave owner.

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Which of the following would be a good final sentence for the story's summary?

• The people who could fly escaped to freedom, but those who couldn't remained slaves.

• The slaves who could not escape remained on the Plantation awaiting help to escape.

• The young men slaves passed out from the heat in the fields.

• The slaves who could fly took the slaves who could not fly on their backs and escaped to freedom.

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A folk tale reveals what is important to the cultural group that first told it. Values such as cleverness and courage are often features of folktales. Reread lines 118 - 123 and identify one sentence that reveals the values that are most important to those who told the story.

• The one called master said it was a lie, a trick of the light.

• They did so love firelight and Free-dom, and tellin'

• Hadn't had the time to teach them to fly.

• They say that the children of the ones who could fly told their children.

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What causes Sarah, the young man slave, and the others to fly away?

• The Driver whips them.

• They fall from the heat.

• They suddenly grow wings again.

• Toby says the magic words from Africa

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What is the main theme of the folk tale 'The People Could Fly'?

• A) The power of freedom and hope.

• B) The importance of wealth and status.

• C) The inevitability of fate.

• D) The value of hard work.

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Why did the people in the story 'The People Could Fly' lose their ability to fly?

• A) They were captured and enslaved.

• B) They forgot the magic words.

• C) They chose to walk instead.

• D) They lost their wings in a storm.

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In 'The People Could Fly', what role does Toby play in the story?

• A) He is a cruel overseer.

• B) He is a wise old man who helps others fly.

• C) He is a young boy learning to fly.

• D) He is a storyteller who narrates the tale.

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