"Explorers: Matthew Henson"

Which of these supporting details is key to understanding the main idea of the text?

• The fact that Henson left home at age 11 and started working in a restaurant shows that he was amazingly resourceful.

• Henson's career as an explorer sometimes had tragic consequences.

• Peary valued Henson's loyalty and help and even stated once that he could not make it to the North Pole without him.

• Henson did not forget his life as an explorer because he recorded his interesting experiences in the Arctic in a book.

What is the main reason why the author includes this paragraph in the article?

• to show that Henson received fewer accolades for his accomplishment than Peary did

• to prove that Henson and Peary actually did reach the North Pole as they claim they did

• to explain how being an African-American affected the kinds of acknowledgements he received

• to describe some ways that Henson was acknowledged for his part in the discovery of the North Pole

Read the section "Life After The North Pole." How does this section support the author’s controlling idea?

• This section shows who was with Henson when he made it to the North Pole.

• This section shows when Peary's and Henson's expedition to the North Pole took place.

• This section shows what problems Peary and Henson faced on their expedition to the North Pole.

• This section shows why some people doubted Peary and Henson's discovery of the North Pole.

Read these sentences from the selection. 

“Triumphant when they returned, Peary received many accolades for his accomplishment, but — an unfortunate sign of the times — as an African American, Henson was largely overlooked.” (paragraph 9) 

“It is considered derogatory toward African-Americans and is historically linked with slavery in the United States.” (paragraph 10) 

What can the reader conclude about the United States in the 1900s based on these sentences?

• A. African American explorers were awarded for their contribution to museums.

• B. The 1900s consisted of heroic ventures with African American leaders.

• C. African Americans were neglected and disrespected in the 1900s.

• D. Henson led the thinking of how marine life creates a better marriage.

Which sentence best supports the idea that reaching the North Pole requires a large amount of effort?

• The expedition continued into the following year, and while other team members turned back, Peary and the ever-loyal Henson trudged on (paragraph 8)

• Their 1902 attempt proved tragic, with six Eskimo team members perishing due to a lack of food and supplies (paragraph 6)

• Impressed by Henson's seafaring credentials, Peary hired him as his valet for an upcoming expedition to Nicaragua (paragraph 3)

• The national cemetery is also the burial site of Peary and his wife, Josephine (paragraph 12)

In this sentence, the word _______ provides a clue to the meaning of thwarted.