1.
For questions 1 - 3, use the following exceprt from Walter Dean Myers, the author of Lockdown:
I was born on a Thursday, the 12th of August, 1937, in Martinsburg, West Virginia. My name at birth was Walter Milton Myers. For some strange reason I was given to a man named Herbert Dean who lived in Harlem. I consider it strange because I don't know why I was given away.
I was raised in Harlem by Herbert and his wife, Florence. Herbert was African American. Florence was German and Native American and wonderful and loved me very much.
As a child my life centered around the neighborhood and the church. The neighborhood protected me and the church guided me. I resisted as much as I could.
I was smart (all kids are smart) but didn't do that well in school.
I dropped out of high school (although now Stuyvesant High claims me as a graduate) and joined the army on my 17th birthday.
Basketball has always been a passion of mine. Sometimes at night I lie in bed thinking about games I've played. Sometimes I think about what would have happened if I had gone into the NBA (I was never good enough) or college ball.
Anyway.... I wrote well in high school and a teacher (bless her!) recognized this and also knew I was going to drop out. She advised me to keep on writing no matter what happened to me.
"It's what you do," she said.
I didn't know exactly what that meant but, years later, working on a construction job in New York, I remembered her words. I began writing at night and eventually began writing about the most difficult period of my own life, the teen years. That's what I do.
QUESTION 1: Why did Walter Dean Myers change his middle name from "Milton" to "Dean"?
Correct Answer
C. He was given away as a child to Herbert Dean.
Explanation
The excerpt states that Walter Dean Myers was given to a man named Herbert Dean as a child. This suggests that his middle name was changed to "Dean" to reflect the person who raised him, rather than "Milton" which was his original middle name.
2.
Walter Dean Myers dropped out of high school. How does he describe his academic ability?
Correct Answer
B. He felt he was smart but that school wasn't for him.
Explanation
Walter Dean Myers describes his academic ability as feeling smart but believing that school wasn't the right fit for him.
3.
Who helped Walter Dean Myers realize that he was a writer?
Correct Answer
A. A teacher.
Explanation
Walter Dean Myers was helped by a teacher to realize that he was a writer. This suggests that the teacher played a significant role in recognizing and nurturing Myers' talent and passion for writing. The teacher's guidance and encouragement likely provided Myers with the confidence and support he needed to pursue a career in writing.
4.
Now, to Lockdown...
What is the setting of Chapter One?
Correct Answer
D. A secured vehicle from a juvenile detention center.
Explanation
The correct answer is A secured vehicle from a juvenile detention center. This is indicated by the phrase "to Lockdown" in the question, suggesting that the chapter is set in a confined space or a place of restricted movement. Additionally, the mention of a "secured vehicle from a juvenile detention center" further supports this explanation, as it implies a setting that is controlled and restricted, such as a prison transport vehicle.
5.
Which of the following answers contain accurate characteristics of Mr. Pugh?
Correct Answer
B. Strict, mean, authoritative
Explanation
The answer "Strict, mean, authoritative" accurately describes Mr. Pugh's characteristics. This implies that he has a firm and rigid approach, can be harsh or unkind, and possesses a commanding and authoritative presence. These traits suggest that Mr. Pugh may enforce rules strictly and expect obedience and respect from others.
6.
When Maurice meets Father Santora, he thinks that, "He looked okay, but a lot of people looked okay."
Maurice's thought suggests that:
Correct Answer
A. Maurice doesn't trust a lot of people just because of their appearance.
Explanation
Maurice's thought suggests that he doesn't trust a lot of people just because of their appearance. This is evident from his statement that "He looked okay, but a lot of people looked okay." This implies that Maurice is skeptical and does not easily trust people solely based on their outward appearance.
7.
Father Santora describes Evergreen by saying:
"It's not a hospital so much as a refuge. People reach a stage in their lives where they need to have assistance from day to day."
The word refuge means:
Correct Answer
C. A place of safety and shelter from pursuit, danger or trouble.
Explanation
The word "refuge" in this context means a place of safety and shelter from pursuit, danger, or trouble. Father Santora describes Evergreen as not just a hospital, but as a place where people can seek assistance and support in their daily lives. This suggests that Evergreen provides a safe and secure environment for individuals who need help and protection.
8.
On his first day at Evergreen, Maurice's duties primarily consists of what job?
Correct Answer
C. Picking garbage off of the floor.
Explanation
Maurice's duties on his first day at Evergreen primarily consist of picking garbage off of the floor. This suggests that he is responsible for maintaining cleanliness and tidiness in the environment.
9.
Mrs. Silvey tells Maurice:
"I don't want you touching anything nasty with your hands. And I need you to wash your hands at least twice a day and keep your hands out of your face and especially away from your eyes. I don't want you getting sick."
Which answer is best supported by the above quote?
Correct Answer
D. Evergreen is a dirty place.
Explanation
The above quote suggests that Mrs. Silvey is concerned about Maurice getting sick and wants him to avoid touching anything nasty and keep his hands clean. This implies that Evergreen, the place being referred to, is likely to be dirty and not well-maintained, supporting the answer that Evergreen is a dirty place.
10.
Which answer best describes Maurice's current situation?
Correct Answer
D. All of the above
Explanation
Maurice's current situation is described in all of the given statements. He is currently at Progress, a detention center, and is also on a work-release at Evergreen. Additionally, he is hoping to succeed at Evergreen so that he can be released from Juvenile Detention. Lastly, it is mentioned that he has already been at Progress for twenty-two months. Therefore, all of the statements accurately describe Maurice's current situation.
11.
Maurice states, "I thought I would like to do that, have a regular job and kid around with people I met."
Later, he thinks to himself, "That's all I thought about... getting back out on the street again."
These two thoughts are important because they show us that:
Correct Answer
B. Maurice wants to be successful but his life on the streets is all he knows.
Explanation
The given correct answer suggests that Maurice wants to be successful but his life on the streets is all he knows. This is supported by the statement where Maurice says he thought about getting back out on the street again. It implies that Maurice is familiar with and comfortable in the street life, and despite considering having a regular job, his thoughts ultimately revolve around returning to the streets. This indicates that Maurice may have difficulty envisioning a different path for himself and is more comfortable with the familiarity of his current lifestyle.