John Henry

All of the following are examples of John Henry's super human strengths, EXCEPT?

• he drove steel spikes six inches into solid rock

• bosses wanted John to work for them

• his hammer moved as fast as lightning

• he could hammer for hours without missing a beat

What invention would change the steel driving occupation?

• a hammer

• a tunnel

• a jack hammer

• a steam drill

What theme would be appropriate for this text?

• don't work too hard

• kindness counts

• never give up

• always tell the truth

Another good title for this tale could be _____________________ .

• The Making of a Folk Song

• Working in Washington D.C.

• The Man Against the Machine

• The Defeat of the Steam Locomotive

Which of the following events could ONLY happen in a tall tale?

• there was a contest to see who could drill faster

• when John Henry fell it sounded like an earthquake

• Lucy was a female steel driver

• sweat poured down the people's faces

When writing a tall tale, the author's purpose is ________

• to inform
• to entertain
• to persuade
• to explain a process

Which of the following is an opinion?

• John Henry should not have raced against the machine.
• John Henry was born a slave.
• John Henry became a steel driver
• John Henry went to work for the railroad.

What is the sound of John Henry's hammer like?

• a crash of thunder
• the splashing of waves
• a lion's roar
• the hum of a car's motor

Why did John Henry agree to race against the digging machine?

• He worked to save the workers' land.

• He wanted to win the machine as a prize.

• He liked to show off.

• He wanted to be paid more.

Which sentence is a hyperbole (an exaggeration)?

• John Henry was born into a slave family.

• He grew so fast that sometimes the pants he put on in the morning were too short by nightfall.

• John Henry lived before there were cars or airplanes.

• Then one day, a little man in a fancy suit arrived at the work camp.