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Worksheetsexcerpt from "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass"
Total questions: 18
Worksheet time: 14mins
Douglass was “making friends of all the little white boys” (paragraph 1) most likely because __________.
he did not want to be seen with any fellow slaves
he knew that they could read and he could not
he did not know what to do with his extra bread
he hoped that one of them could convince his owner to free him
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass is told in the __________ tense, from a ___________ point of view.
present; first person
present; third person
past; first person
past; third-person
Douglass does not reveal the names of the boys who taught him to read most likely because ___________.
he wishes that he never learned to read and would like to put it behind him
he had long forgotten who they were
he is still angry at them for having their freedom
it was illegal teach slaves to read and he does not want them to get in trouble
What does the following passage mainly reveal about the life of Frederick Douglass (paragraph 4)?
“As I read and contemplated the subject, behold! that very discontentment which Master Hugh had predicted would follow my learning to read had already come, to torment and sting my soul to unutterable anguish.”
Douglass’s owner had warned him that learning to read would cause him pain.
Douglass only learned how to read in order to find out how to free himself.
Douglass was threatened with whippings from his owner if he learned how to read.
Master Hugh sympathized with Douglass because he also did not know how to read.
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.
Which sentence from the text most strongly supports the correct answer to Question 5?
“As I writhed under it, I would at times feel that learning to read had been a curse rather than a blessing.”
“These words used to trouble them; they would express for me the liveliest sympathy, and console me with the hope that something would occur by which I might be free.”
“The moral which I gained from the dialogue was the power of truth over the conscience of even a slaveholder.”
“When I was sent of errands, I always took my book with me, and by going one part of my errand quickly, I found time to get a lesson before my return.”
Which of the following inferences is best supported by the text?
The boys who taught Mr. Douglass to read will be disappointed to see that he does not credit them by name.
Books gave Mr. Douglass the hope that he could one day obtain his freedom.
Mr. Douglass learned to read so that he could study a variety of topics.
Mr. Douglass only thought about freedom when he was reading a book.
Which statement from the text most strongly supports the correct answer to Question 7?
“It is enough to say of the dear little fellows, that they lived on Philpot Street, very near Durgin and Bailey’s ship-yard.”
“The plan which I adopted, and the one by which I was most successful, was that of making friends of all the little white boys whom I met in the street.”
“The moral which I gained from the dialogue was the power of truth over the conscience of even a slaveholder.”
“I was now about twelve years old, and the thought of being a slave for life began to bear heavily upon my heart.”
What is the definition of denunciation?
a statement that publicly criticizes someone or something
a person who makes speeches and is very good at doing so
good judgment that helps a person avoid problems
at full strength
What is the definition of prudence?
at full strength
the act of being cleared of blame or accusation
a person who makes speeches and is very good at doing so
good judgment that helps a person avoid problems
What is the definition of orator?
a statement that publicly criticizes someone or something
a person who makes speeches and is very good at doing so
good judgment that helps a person avoid problems
the act of being cleared of blame or accusation
What is the definition of unabated?
the act of being cleared of blame or accusation
good judgment that helps a person avoid problems
a statement that publicly criticizes someone or something
at full strength
What is the definition of vindication?
the act of being cleared of blame or accusation
at full strength
good judgment that helps a person avoid problems
a person who makes speeches and is very good at doing so
In paragraph 2 of the selection, Douglass calls his mistress tigerlike to emphasize how —
threatening she became when she decided to deny him an education
conflicted she was about whether to hate or enjoy being a slave owner
forceful she was when it came to caring for the hungry or needy
angry she became when she witnessed her husband mistreating the slaves
Which of these conclusions about Douglass’s unutterable anguish is supported by paragraph 6?
He sees that his life would have been in turmoil even if he had not become a slave.
He sees that there is no such thing as truth or human rights in the world.
He realizes that his master is correct that he should not have learned how to read.
He realizes that reading the book has shown him what he is missing by being enslaved.
Through the experiences described in this excerpt, Douglass gained ---
gratitude for his master's and mistress's actions
a belief that people are not to be trusted
more knowledge about the problem of slavery
pleasure in spending time with his white friends
Which sentence from the excerpt best demonstrates Douglass’s feelings about reading after he learned about slavery?
In the same book, I met with one of Sheridan’s mighty speeches on and in behalf of Catholic emancipation.
In moments of agony, I envied my fellow-slaves for their stupidity.
It was pressed upon me by every object within sight or hearing, animate or inanimate.
I heard nothing without hearing it, and felt nothing without feeling it.
Why does Douglass first describe his mistress as “a kind and tender-hearted woman”?
To contrast with her later, cruel behavior
To show how much he wanted to learn to read
To prove that some slaveholders were caring
To emphasize his good fortune
