Unit 3 Biography: Summative Assessment in Reading
Directions: Read “The Man on Top of the World” and then answer all of the questions
that follow. Show what you know!
26 points total
The Man on Top of the World
By 1900 humans had been almost
everywhere on this planet’s land
surface—everywhere, that is, except the
North and South Poles.
Adventure: it was in his blood. Risk
taking: it was part of his way of life. To
escape from a difficult childhood,
Matthew Henson set out to sea when
only 12 years old. He taught himself
math, reading, and navigation skills. By
the age of 21, he was an experienced
world traveler. Then fate stepped in.
Henson was working in a fur and
supplies store when an explorer named
Robert Peary came in to buy some
items. He mentioned that he needed a
servant to accompany him on an
expedition to Nicaragua. Guess whom
he chose?
On that trip, young Henson so impressed
Commander Peary that he made him
his trusted assistant. Together, they
would try to make Peary’s dream come
true—to be the first humans to reach the
North Pole.
If you like adventure and mystery, there
are few stories to match this genuine
drama. Constant danger, subfreezing
Henson looks exhausted in this
photo, which was taken after his
1000-mile trek across polar sea ice
while returning from the North Pole.
The Inuit who met Henson along his
journey called him Miy Paluk—“kind
Matthew”.
temperatures, wild animals—it was all
there. Only after three failed attempts
did Robert Peary, four native Inuit
(Eskimo) guides, and Matthew Henson
finally reach the North Pole. It was April
6, 1909, the end of a very difficult 36-day
journey. They probably wouldn’t have
made it at all without Henson. He knew
how to drive the dog team and hunt
polar bear for food. He realized that the
Inuits knew how to live in the harsh, cold
environment. He learned to speak their
language so he could ask for their help.
The years of hard work and risk taking
had paid off. One of the last
unreachable points on the globe had
been reached. After Henson and
Peary’s remarkable trek, no one went
back to the Pole until 17 years later
when an airplane flew over it. And no
one has ever repeated the trip to and
from the North Pole by dogsled.
For many years, Matthew Henson’s
achievement was ignored in history
books because of his race. Although
some people appreciated the key role
he played in the North Pole expedition,
Robert Peary got most of the glory.
People in the early 1900s just weren’t
ready to cheer for a black man, no
matter how big a hero he was.
When Peary died, he was buried in
Arlington National Cemetery, and a big
monument was placed on his grave.
Henson’s final resting place was a
shared grave in the Bronx, New York.
Recently, the United States has finally
begun to appreciate Matthew Henson.
In 1988, he received a hero’s burial in
Arlington, right next to his old friend,
Peary.
1. What is one way Henson helped Peary?
a. Henson worked in a fur and supplies store.
b. Henson killed polar bears for food.
c. Henson flew an airplane over the North Pole.
d. Henson explored the North Pole.
SWBAT identify information about the individual by answering questions such as who, what, when, where, and why
1 point
2. What is the best description of Henson’s major accomplishment?
a. Henson became Peary’s trusted assistant.
b. Henson traveled by dog sled all over the North Pole.
c. Henson traveled to the North Pole with Peary, and they were the first people
to reach the North Pole.
d. Henson taught himself math, reading, and navigation skills and was a world
traveler by age 21.
SWBAT describe an individual’s accomplishments by explaining what the individual did and why it was important.
1 point
3. Why was Henson’s accomplishment important?
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SWBAT determine the individual’s impact by analyzing how the individual’s accomplishments impacted others or society as a
whole
Exemplar Response
Henson’s accomplishment was so important because he was part of a team of people who
were the first to reach the North Pole. Henson helped his team drive the dogsled, hunt for polar
bear, and speak to the Inuits. This shows how Henson was a valuable part of the team’s success.
Henson’s accomplishment was also important because the trip to the North Pole was not done
again for another 17 years and has never been done by dogsled. This shows how dangerous the
trip was. Henson’s accomplishment was also important because he was a black man living in
the early 1900s. People did not give him credit for the trip, but he proved that anyone could be
successful!
1 point – answer
1 point – a detail
1 point – explanation
4. Which word best describes Matthew Henson?
a. upset
b. brave
c. jealous
d. tired
1 point
SWBAT determine the individual’s character traits by analyzing key details about how the individual acted and thought
5. Consider what you know about life during this time period. What about the
setting caused Henson to be less appreciated than Peary?
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SWBAT describe the setting’s impact by analyzing how the setting (time period, place, and environment) affected the
individual’s thoughts and beliefs
Exemplar Response
Life in 1906 was not supportive of African Americans. People did not want to cheer on a
black person or give black people as much credit as white people. This means that
people gave more credit to Peary than to Henson for reaching the North Pole since
Henson was black and Peary was not. Most people cheered on Peary (but not Henson)
and considered him a hero.
1 point – describe setting
1 point – describe impact
1 point – explain
6. What statement best describes the author’s message about Matthew Henson?
a. Matthew Henson was a brave explorer who was one of the first people to
reach the North Pole. People should recognize his role in making history.
b. Matthew Henson was a brave explorer who was one of the first people to
reach the North Pole. He deserves more credit for the accomplishment
than Peary.
c. Matthew Henson was a brave explorer, but he did not play a big role in
reaching the North Pole.
d. Matthew Henson reached the North Pole.
SWBAT infer the author’s message about the individual by analyzing the key points the author makes about the individual
1 point
7. Look at the two paragraphs about Peary and Henson’s adventure below.
Biography 1 is from the biography you already read above. Biography 2 is from a
different biography.
Biography 1
Only after three failed attempts did Robert
Peary, four native Inuit (Eskimo) guides,
and Matthew Henson finally reach the
North Pole. It was April 6, 1909, the end of
a very difficult 36-day journey. They
probably wouldn’t have made it at all
without Henson. He knew how to drive the
dog team and hunt polar bear for food. He
realized that the Inuits knew how to live in
the harsh, cold environment. He learned to
speak their language so he could ask for
their help.
Biography 2
On April 9, 1909, six men set off for the
North Pole: Matthew Henson, four Inuits
(Eskimos), and Robert Peary on a sled.
Peary sent Henson ahead of everyone to
make sure they were going the right way.
Henson was standing at the North Pole
when the Inuits and Peary arrived on the
sled. He was the first man in the world to
reach the North Pole.
Does the second biography change how important you consider Matthew
Henson to be? Why or why not?
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SWBAT interpret the impact of differences in 2 biographies about the same individual by analyzing how the differences shape
the reader’s perception of the individual
Exemplar Response
The second biography makes it seem like Henson is more important than the first
biography. In the second biography it says that Henson was sent ahead of the rest of
the team to make sure they were going the right way. This means Henson got to the
North Pole first! In the first biography it makes it seem like Henson, Peary and the four
Eskimos arrived at the same time. This means Henson is not given as much credit as he
should for his achievement. The second article makes him seem more important since
he arrives at the North Pole before everyone else.
1 point – answer
1 point – detail from biography 2
1 point – detail from biography 1
1 point - explain
Directions: Read “Jack Roosevelt Robinson: Baseball’s First Black Superstar” and then
answer all of the questions that follow. Show what you know!
Jack Roosevelt Robinson:
America’s First Baseball Superstar
On a chilly April afternoon in 1947, Jack Roosevelt
Robinson stood at bat in Ebbets Field in Brooklyn,
New York. The nation watched and held its breath.
This was the first time in organized baseball that a
black man took the field to play with and against
white players.
Up until this time, if a black man wanted to play
professional baseball, he played in the Negro
Leagues. Jackie Robinson had played for the
Kansas City Monarchs, a Negro Leagues team. He
hated the way blacks were treated.
An End to Segregation
Branch Rickey, president and general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, could see
the problems black players faced. He wanted to help end segregation in sports. In
1942, Rickey started looking for a black person who was a great player and a great
human being. Rickey knew that he would make history by bringing a black player
onto his team.
Rickey sent scouts to Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Negro Leagues, where they found
Jackie Robinson. Robinson was smart, educated, and a great baseball player. Branch
Rickey thought Jackie Robinson just might be the man he was looking for to join the
Brooklyn Dodgers team.
A Player with Guts
When Robinson and Rickey met, they discussed Rickey’s secret plan to bring black
players into the National League. Rickey worried about the younger man’s temper.
So, he tested Robinson by shouting racial insults at him.
Robinson was confused: “Mr. Rickey, do you want a ballplayer who’s afraid to fight
back?”
“Mr. Robinson,” Rickey said, “I want a player with guts enough not to fight back.”
They agreed that Robinson would not fight back for three years. Then, he could
speak up if he wanted to. Robinson agreed to play for the Montreal Royals, a minorleague team that sent its best players to the Dodgers. The news made national
headlines.
Heading to the Major League
After Robinson played well on the Royals, Rickey decided to make his move. On
April 10, 1947, Rickey announced: “The Brooklyn Dodgers today purchased the
contract of Jack Roosevelt Robinson from the Montreal
Royals.”
Reactions across the country ranged from hostility to
enthusiasm. In major league baseball, no team owners and
few players supported Rickey’s decision. On April 15, the
Dodgers opened the season by playing the Boston Braves.
Jackie Robinson and
Some of the players were polite, and the Brooklyn fans
Branch Rickey signing the
were very excited. But during a game with the
contract.
Philadelphia Phillies, Robinson received the worst verbal
attack imaginable. Robinson kept his temper, though, as he had promised, and his
teammates began to stick up for him. Dodger second baseman Eddie Stanky shouted
at the Phillies players: “You yellow-bellied cowards! Why don’t you yell at someone
who can answer back?”
Standing Up Against Racism
The threats and abuse toward Robinson continued. Players kicked him. Pitchers
aimed for his head. Teams refused to play until Robinson was fired. But National
League President Ford Frick said, “This is the United States of America, and one
citizen has as much right to play as another.”
Robinson’s teammates slowly accepted him. Some accepted him because they knew
he could help win games. And some accepted him because they hated injustice and
liked Robinson. In one event that has become baseball legend, fellow player Pee
Wee Reese came onto the field and put his arm around Robinson’s shoulder. It was
the first time many people had ever seen friendly physical contact between the
races.
America’s MVP
In time, things changed. The Sporting News named him “Rookie of the Year.” The
baseball writers named him “Most
Valuable Player.” His popularity with
Americans of all races grew. Songs
were written about him. There was a
Jackie Robinson comic book. There
was a movie called The Jackie
Robinson Story. In his career with the
Brooklyn Dodgers, Robinson set
many team and league records. The
Dodgers won their first World Series
The Brooklyn Dodgers, National League
Champions, in 1953.
in 1955, defeating their longtime
rivals the New York Yankees. Robinson wanted to leave the game while he still
played well. After 10 years with the Dodgers, he retired from baseball. Five years
later, he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
A Positive Impact for All
African American leader Roy Wilkins said, “Jackie forced people, all people, to
reconsider their assumptions about race.” Robinson was fond of saying, “A life is not
important, except in the impact it has on other lives.” By his actions, his example,
and his courage, Jackie Robinson had an impact on the lives of all Americans.
8. Which detail best shows Jackie Robinson’s character?
a. Jackie Robinson played with the Negro Leagues.
b. Jackie Robinson was a baseball player.
c. Jackie Robinson kept his temper like he promised when people in the
audience yelled awful things to him.
d. Pitchers aimed balls at Jackie Robinson’s head.
SWBAT determine the individual’s character traits by analyzing key details about how the individual acted and thought
1 point
9. What role did Branch Rickey play in Jackie Robinson’s life and
accomplishments?
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SWBAT describe how other individuals influenced the central individual by analyzing how they affected the individual’s thoughts
and beliefs
Exemplar Response
Branch Rickey was the president and manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers who wanted to
end segregation in sports and gave Jackie Robinson the chance to compete in the
Major Leagues! Branch Rickey sent recruiters to find a smart black man who could play
baseball. Branch purchased Robinson and had him play for the Dodgers and taught
him to control his temper. Robinson became the first black man in the Major Leagues.
He went on to become Rookie of the Year, win MVP, and win a World Series. Branch
Rickey gave Robinson the opportunity to be the first successful black baseball player.
1 point – synthesized answer
1 point – detail about secondary character
1 point – detail about central character
1 point – explain impact
10. Describe one of the major events in Robinson’s life. Be sure to explain what
makes the event an obstacle or a step toward his goal.
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SWBAT determine major events in the individual’s life by explaining how an event was either an obstacle or a step towards
reaching his/her goal
Exemplar Response
(Answers will vary) One major event in Robinson’s life was the abuse he heard from
other players and fans in his first year playing baseball ball. On his first game, he was
verbally attacked. Players would also kick him, throw balls at his head, or refuse to play
against him. This shows that people did not accept a black man playing in the Major
Leagues. This could have been an obstacle for Robinson being successful in baseball,
but his teammates stood up for him and he kept his temper. Eventually he became
accepted in the League.
1 point – event
1 point – detail of event
1 point – explain obstacle or step towards goal
11. Jackie Robinson liked to say, “A life is not important, except in the impact it has
on other lives.” What is not a way he had an impact on other people’s lives?
a. He got angry when people yelled racist insults.
b. He kept his promise not to lose his temper, and he proved that you can
gain respect even if you don’t fight back.
c. He broke down segregation in sports, so people of all colors could play
together.
d. He stood up for what he believed in.
SWBAT determine the individual’s impact by analyzing how the individual’s accomplishments impacted others or society as a
whole
1 point
12. Do you think Jackie Robinson should be considered a hero? Why or why not?
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SWBAT evaluate the individual’s accomplishments by justifying whether the individual was a hero [discussion lesson]
Exemplar Response
Jackie should be considered a hero because he fought against racism and
segregation in the Major Leagues. He always remained calm even when fans and
players said abusive things to him. He also worked really hard as an athlete to become
MVP and Rookie of the Year. Robinson proved to people that a black man could be a
smart, successful, and polite athlete. This is truly a hero!
1 point – answer
1 point – details
1 point - explain