GRADE NINE
QUARTER ONE
CLOSE READING LESSON
“NEW DIRECTIONS” BY MAYA ANGELOU
Question One


When Annie’s husband leaves, he moves on
with his life. Explain whether he truly
chooses a new path.
Answer in 2-3 sentences using at least 2
details from the text for support.
“NEW DIRECTIONS” BY MAYA ANGELOU
Question Two

Write a brief explanation discussing why
Annie carries the pails of stones to the
cotton gin, the sawmill, and back home.
“NEW DIRECTIONS” BY MAYA ANGELOU
Question Three
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
Why is Annie so successful with her
business?
Identify two qualities that Annie possesses
and find examples from the text which
exemplify those qualities.
“NEW DIRECTIONS” BY MAYA ANGELOU
Question Four


Explain how the word unpalatable in the
last sentence reflects the choices and the
changes in Annie’s life.
Write a paragraph to explain the meaning
of the word unpalatable and relate it to the
changes in Annie’s life.
BREAKING NEW GROUND
BY MADAME C. J. WALKER
Question Five


What innovative business practices
contributed to Walker’s success?
Find three details in the text that support
your answer.
BREAKING NEW GROUND
BY MADAME C. J. WALKER
Question Six


How do Walker’s actions after her success
support her reasons for beginning her
business?
Use details from the beginning and the end
of the text to support a brief explanation.
BREAKING NEW GROUND
BY MADAME C. J. WALKER
Question Seven

Write a paragraph to explain how Walker’s
motivation for starting a business differ
from Annie Johnson’s motivation?
CULMINATING WRITING ACTIVITY
Write a two-paragraph essay responding to the
following question.

How could these two women, Annie Johnson
and Madame C.J. Walker, be considered role
models for their time? Provide specific textual
support from both texts in your response.