Cub Pilot on the Mississippi

1.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

According to Twain, what was the chief benefit of the two and a half years he spent

working on riverboats?

developing his manual skills

learning geography

learning how to work with people

gaining insight into human nature

2.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Which of the following best summarizes this description of Brown?

He was a middle-aged, long, slim, bony, smooth-shaven, horse-faced, ignorant,

stingy, malicious, snarling, fault-hunting, mote-magnifying tyrant.

The narrator despises him.

The narrator has a grudging respect for him.

You can’t judge a book by its cover.

You can find humor in the least likely places.

3.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

What does this passage indicate about how Twain and Brown will get along as the

story unfolds?

Brown was at the wheel. I paused in the middle of the room all fixed to make my

bow, but Brown did not look around. I thought he took a furtive glance at me out

of the corner of his eye, but as not even this notice was repeated, I judged I had

been mistaken.

The relationship between Twain and Brown will be full of conflict.

The relationship between Twain and Brown will be friendly.

The relationship between Twain and Brown will be warm.

The relationship between Twain and Brown will be of no importance.

4.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Which of the following items best identifies an idiom?

a direct comparison between two unlike things

an expression used by people of a particular region or background

a reference to an historical event

a statement foreshadowing a future event in a story’s plot

5.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Why do you think Brown examined Twain’s shoes so carefully?

to make Twain feel uncomfortable and self-conscious

to be sure that Twain was using proper hygiene

because he admired the shoes

because he was curious

6.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

What emotion is conveyed in this passage?

As soon as I could get my voice I said apologetically: “I have had no orders, sir.”

a. eagerness

b. happiness

c. fear

d. hate

7.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

What can you infer about the conflict between Twain and Brown from this passage?

The moment I was in the presence, even in the darkest night, I could feel those yellow

eyes upon me, and knew their owner was watching for a pretext to spit out

some venom on me.

a. Brown imagines that Twain dislikes him.

b. Brown dislikes Twain because of his poor job performance.

c. Brown is trying to help Twain.

d. Brown’s dislike for Twain is just part of Brown’s personality.

8.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

In contrast to Brown, George Ealer, George Ritchie’s boss, is

a. lazy

b. incompetent

c. kindhearted

d. forgetful

9.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

George Richie takes great pleasure in

a. playing pranks on Brown

b. teasing Twain about Brown

c. showing up Twain in front of Brown

d. showing up Twain in front of Ealer

10.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Which item below best expresses the meaning of cramp in the following sentence?

“I told you not to cramp that reef. G’way from the wheel!”

a. touch

b. get too close to

c. go to the left side of

d. coast by

11.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Brown commands Twain to “round the boat to” because he wants

a. Twain to fail

b. Twain to learn a new skill

c. the job to get done right

d. to impress the captain with his kindness

12.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Brown fails to hear Henry’s shouted instruction to stop at a landing because

a. he dislikes Henry and always ignores him

b. he is too busy yelling at Twain

c. he has fallen asleep at the wheel

d. he is deaf

13.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

What is the meaning of the idiom lit in the following passage?

I lit in the middle of the floor, shot there by the electric suddenness of the surprise.

a. landed

b. burst into flame

c. sat down

d. stood

14.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Which of the following best answers the question, Why does the narrator continue

the attack on Brown with such pleasure?

a. to defend Henry against Brown’s attack

b. out of hatred and frustration

c. because he is by nature a violent person

d. because he might not have another opportunity to do so

15.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Which of the following best describes the captain’s attitude toward Twain after the

attack on Brown?

a. supportive

b. sad

c. angry

d. surprised

16.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Which of these personal qualities does Twain discover as a result of his conflict with

Brown?

a. courage

b. recklessness

c. steering skill

d. sense of humor

17.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Which of the following words is closest in meaning to furtive?

a. open

b. hairy

c. assertive

d. secret

18.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Which of the following is the verb phrase in this passage?

The boat had backed out from St. Louis.

a. boat had backed out

b. had backed out

c. had backed out from

d. backed out

19.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

What is the helping verb in the following sentence from the story?

As I have said, I soon got the habit of coming on duty with dread.

a. have

b. said

c. soon

d. got

20.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

In which of the following sentences is a word misspelled?

a. Twain says that he experienced many varieties of steamboats.

b. It takes years of training to become the operator of a vessel.

c. Twain found that Brown’s treatment of him was offensive.

d. He released his rage by giving Brown a thorough beating.

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