Frederick Douglass Comprehension Check

Why does Douglass say that learning to read was a curse rather than a blessing?

• It showed his horrible situation, but not how to escape it.

• No books were available to him so he had nothing to read.

• He was upset that his slave owners would be angry with him.

• The young boys who helped him learn could get in serious trouble.

What does Fredrick Douglass learn to do?

• read and write

• plant and harvest

• bake bread

• talk to slaveowners

Why doesn't Douglass name the boys who taught him to read?

• They may be embarrassed because it was unacceptable to teach a slave to read.

• It was so long ago that he forgot all their names.

• They have already been thanked and he doesn't want them to become too arrogant.

• Douglass was bitter because they did teach him to read, but then stopped.

The first person to help Douglass learn to read was

• another slave

• Master Hugh

• the wife of Master Hugh

• a white boy from the street

"My mother was of a darker (a)   than either my grandmother or ​ (b)   ", Douglass said about Harriet Bailey.

• complexion

• skin tone

• feature

• height

• grandfather

• cousin

• brother

• sister

The more Douglass read books such as “The Columbian Orator,” the more he

• enjoyed being able to read.

• became hopeful for his future.

• realized his value to his master.

• came to hate his enslavers.

What is Douglass's most likely purpose for writing his autobiography?

• to make readers agree that reading is important

• to inform readers about the life of a slave

• to express feelings about Master Hugh

• to tell an interesting story from his past

How does his mistress change?

• She becomes kinder once she gets to know him.

• She doesn't think he should read, but she still finds him a school.

• Slavery did not change her. She was always mean.

• Slavery changed her and made her more cruel.

Why would Douglass make friends with the boys on the street?

• He was lonely.

• He needed something to eat.

• He wanted to learn to read.

• He had a lot in common with them.

What does Douglass begin yearning for at the end of the passage?

• He yearns to learn to read.

• He yearns to earn more money.

• He yearns for freedom.

• He yearns to fall in love.