Young frederick douglass

Words: 501-600

Skills: Summary Theme

Grades: 7th 8th 9th

Topics: History

Genres: Biography / Autobiography

Lexile Range: 740L - 1050L

Lexile Measure: 1040L

CCSS: History/Social Studies and Reading: Informational Text


Young Frederick Douglass

by Frederick Douglass from Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave

Chapter VIII passage: Frederick Douglass, born about 1818, was an icon of the abolitionist movement. Born into slavery, he escaped to freedom as a young man. His insights into the misery of slavery were invaluable to the movement. This passage is from his autobiography and tells of when he was just 10 years old. After reading the selection, students will answer questions on the plot and the theme.

Reading Comprehension Passage

Young Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass (c. 1818-1895) was born into slavery in Maryland. As an adult, he escaped into freedom. He became a writer, orator and advocate for the abolition of slavery. In 1845, 16 years before the start of the Civil War, Douglass published his autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave. In this passage from Chapter VIII, Douglass is a 10 year old slave.





Passage Only

Reading Comprehension Questions

1. Why did Douglass go to Baltimore?

2. How did Douglass and the other slaves view Master Andrew?

3. In the passage, Douglass explains that slavery was humiliating. Cite text from the passage that clearly supports this idea.

4. Find one additional text example that also supports the idea that slavery was humiliating.