The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

Which is most closely a central idea of this excerpt?

• No one felt sorry for the plight of slaves except for slaves themselves.

• Reading cannot change how you feel about things.

• The process of self-discovery can be a painful one.

• Children should not be learning about adult subjects.

What was the author's purpose in describing his interactions with the mistress?

• To highlight the mistress' kindness towards the author

• To emphasize the lack of educational opportunities for slaves

• To show the gradual change in the mistress' attitude towards the author

• To demonstrate the impact of slavery on familial relationships

Which statement BEST describes the relationship between education and slavery in the text?

• Education is shown to be a tool for empowerment and liberation

•  Education is depicted as a threat to the institution of slavery
  

• Education is portrayed as unattainable for slaves under oppressive conditions

• Education is presented as a means to reinforce social hierarchies

Based on the text, why did the mistress initially start teaching the author to read?

• Out of a sense of duty towards all individuals

• In compliance with her husband's wishes

• To empower the author to advocate for his freedom

• As a way to challenge societal norms

In the text, why did the mistress eventually stop teaching the author?

• She feared the repercussions of educating a slave

• She believed the author was no longer receptive to learning

• She was forbidden by law to educate slaves

• She realized the futility of educating a slave

What effect did learning to read have on the author's perception of his own situation?

• It provided him with a clear path to freedom

• It intensified his awareness of his enslaved status

• It made him accept his fate without resistance

• It empowered him to challenge the institution of slavery

Why does the author express envy towards his fellow slaves?

• They are granted more privileges by their masters

• They are unaware of the atrocities of slavery

• They possess greater physical strength and endurance

• They have never been punished for seeking knowledge

What is the author's attitude towards his enslavers as expressed in the passage?

• Resigned acceptance

• Deep admiration

• Bitter resentment

• Sympathetic understanding

What was the main focus of the text?

• Frederick Douglass' early childhood

• The role of the mistress in a slave's education

• The harmful effects of slavery on both slaves and slaveholders

• The importance of reading and education in overcoming adversity

What was the mood conveyed in the passage about the mistress? (Paragraph 1)

• Joyful and celebratory

• Melancholic and somber

• Fearful and apprehensive

• Conflicted and tense