Little Things Are Big

What main problem does the young woman with three children have as she travels on the subway in 'Little Things Are Big'?

• She has difficulty traveling on the train and through the station because of her burdens.

• She cannot ask anyone on the train for help because she cannot speak English.

• She refuses help from any person who is not white because of her biases.

• She does not know whether she is on the right train for her destination.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What is the most likely meaning of courtesy in this statement from 'Little Things Are Big'?

• a hunger to learn

• generous gift-giving

• considerate, respectful behavior toward others

• free services offered to people who cannot afford them

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Part A: With which of these statements would the author of 'Little Things Are Big' most likely agree, given what he says in his essay?

• Never make an important decision in haste.

• Help children in need whenever and wherever you can.

• Do the right thing, even if the situation is uncomfortable.

• In your time of trouble, accept help from anyone who offers.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.6

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.6

Part B: Which of these sentences from "Little Things Are Big" best supports the answer to Part A?

Answer to Part A: Do the right thing, even if the situation is uncomfortable.

• What would be the first reaction of this white American woman, perhaps coming from a small town with a valise, two children, and a baby on her right arm? Would she say: Yes, of course, you may help me.

• This is what racism and prejudice and chauvinism and official artificial divisions can do to people and to a nation!

• If you were not that prejdiced, I failed you, lady, I failed you, children.

• But here is a promise that I make to myself here and now: if I am ever faced with an occasion like that again, I am going to offer my help regardless of how the offer is going to be received.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

Read this sentence from 'Little Things Are Big.' In it, the narrator comments about the way in which people of color and foreigners are sometimes treated.

"Here was I, way past midnight, face to face with a situation that could very well explode into an outburst of prejudices and chauvinisitic conditioning of the 'divide and rule' policy of present day society."

Which of the following is the most accurate interpretation of the narrator's viewpoint?

• He believes that people of color and foreigners should avoid most Americans in order to stay out of trouble.

• He believes that fear of foreigners and people of color is meant to separate and control people.

• He believes that he may be wrong in thinking the white woman will be afraid of him.

• He believes that people in power treat people of color and foreigners in a fair way.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

If a person is prejudiced toward a certain group of people, then which of the following must be true? Base your answer on the meaning of prejudiced.

• The person sees what members of the group are like before forming opinions about them.

• The person has negative views of most or all members of the group.

• The person is fair in his or her opinions regarding the group.

• The person is unfamiliar with any members of the group.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

How does the narrator feel about his decision at the end of 'Little Things Are Big'?

• He feels relief that he will never have to make that kind of decision again.

• He feels anger toward the woman because she was afraid of him and refused his help.

• He feels pride in his Puerto Rican heritage, which helped him make the right decision.

• He feels shame for not helping the woman, along with a determination to act differently in the future.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

Which statement best describes the conflict that the narrator of 'Little Things Are Big,' a black man, faces when he sees the white woman in need of help?

• He wants to help the white woman, but he is afraid she will react negatively to a black man she does not know.

• He does not want to help the white woman, but he fears that if he does not, the other passengers will think he is uncaring.

• He does not want to help the white woman, but he feels guilty about ignoring her.

• He wants to help the white woman, but a white man steps forward to offer help first.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

Part A: What is the meaning of insensitive in the following quotation from 'Little Things Are Big'?

"I passed on by her as if I saw nothing. As if I was insensitive to her need. Like a rude animal walking on two legs, I just moved on, half running by the long subway platform, leaving the children and the valise and her with the baby on her arm."

• too busy to help

• too angry to help

• not caring about her need

• not sure of how to respond

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

Part B: Which words form the quotation best support the answer to Part A?

Part A Answer: not caring about her need

• like a rude animal

• walking on two legs

• half running

• leaving the children

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3