Spies in Petticoats

1. Which quotation states a central idea? A “Women of all ages worked as spies on both sides during the Civil War (1861–1865). They had some advantages in those roles.” (paragraph 1) B “As soldiers learned about female agents, however, women were more likely to be stopped. Here’s a look at some women who served as spies during the Civil War.”

• A “Women of all ages worked as spies on both sides during the Civil War (1861–1865). They had some advantages in those roles.” (paragraph 1)

• B “As soldiers learned about female agents, however, women were more likely to be stopped. Here’s a look at some women who served as spies during the Civil War.” (paragraph 1)

• C “But she strongly believed that the South had a constitutional right to secede from the Union. She vowed to help the Confederacy achieve that goal.” (paragraph 2)

• D “Union secret detective Allan Pinkerton grew suspicious of Greenhow and eventually arrested her. She was ordered to leave the North.” (paragraph 2)

What is the meaning of the word reluctant in paragraph 1?

• A excluded

• B fearful

• C hesitant

• D motivated

Based on the information in the text, what inference can be drawn about women in wartime?

• A Women were not permitted to fight alongside men, but women wanted to support war efforts

• B Women were not believed to be intelligent enough to spy or accomplish secret missions.

• C Women preferred to work with other women during dangerous missions, but they often had to rely on men instead.

• D Women as young as teenagers were able to gather intelligence and secrets.

How do the authors develop the idea that women were successful spies during the Civil War?

• A by presenting facts and statistics about undetected women spies of the war

• B by providing examples of the ways in which women sacrificed their lives in order to support war efforts

• C by describing the ways in which women were able to gather and transmit important information during the war

• D by retelling the events of prominent battles supported by women during the war

What is the authors’ purpose for writing this text?

• A to describe how women helped the North win the Civil War

• B to highlight the most famous women spies in history

• C to inform readers about notable women spies during the Civil War

• D to explain to readers the ways in which women spies transmit secret messages

Which quotation supports the claim that spy work was dangerous?

• A “She volunteered in the city’s Libby Prison, where she learned information from Union prisoners. She led an efficient group of spies.” (paragraph 3)

• B “Belle Boyd was 18 years old when Union troops invaded her hometown in western Virginia.” (paragraph 5)

• C “Tubman also convinced other brave African Americans to join her as spies, even though they risked death if they were caught.” (paragraph 6)

• D “Willard had fallen in love with Ford and tried to get her freed. She was released after she took a loyalty oath.” (paragraph 7)