Walter Dean Myers's Lockdown: Chapter 1

1. 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:

Maurice thinks he can't get a job because he is a gang-banger.

Maurice wants to be successful but his life on the streets is all he knows.

Maurice wants to have a job, but only if it involves "dealing drugs" on the streets.

Maurice hates working people because they couldn't handle being on the streets.

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.

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.

2. 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"?

He hated the name "Milton."

He wanted to honor his best friend, Dean.

He was given away as a child to Herbert Dean.

He lost a bet.

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.

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.

3. Who helped Walter Dean Myers realize that he was a writer?

A teacher.

Herbert Dean.

His birth father.

Florence Dean.

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.

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. Which of the following answers contain accurate characteristics of Mr. Pugh?

Large, polite, gentle.

Strict, mean, authoritative

Teacher, mentor, caregiver

Flattering, friendly, wealthy

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.

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.

5. On his first day at Evergreen, Maurice's duties primarily consists of what job?

Running errands for the seniors.

Washing and folding laundry.

Picking garbage off of the floor.

Nothing - he was only observing.

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.

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.

6. Walter Dean Myers dropped out of high school. How does he describe his academic ability?

As a teenager, he thought he was too dumb for school.

He felt he was smart but that school wasn't for him.

He thought he was too smart for school and began writing when he dropped out.

He knew basketball was his future, so academics didn't mean anything to him.

Walter Dean Myers describes his academic ability as feeling smart but believing that school wasn't the right fit for him.

Explanation

Walter Dean Myers describes his academic ability as feeling smart but believing that school wasn't the right fit for him.

7. When Maurice meets Father Santora, he thinks that, "He looked okay, but a lot of people looked okay." Maurice's thought suggests that:

Maurice doesn't trust a lot of people just because of their appearance.

Maurice trusts Father Santora as soon as they meet.

Maurice thinks that many people are good-looking.

All of the above.

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.

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.

8. 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:

A place where soldiers go when they retire from the army.

A prison for old people who break the law.

A place of safety and shelter from pursuit, danger or trouble.

A holding center for insane people.

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.

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.

9. Which answer best describes Maurice's current situation?

He is at Progress (a detention center) and is on a work-release at Evergreen.

He is hoping that he succeeds at Evergreen so he can be released from Juvenile Detention.

He has been at Progress for twenty-two months.

All of the above

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.

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.

10. 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?

Mrs. Silvey loves Maurice like a son.

Mrs. Silvey hates dirty people.

Evergreen is the cleanest facility in the United States.

Evergreen is a dirty place.

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.

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.

11. Now, to Lockdown... What is the setting of Chapter One?

Mr. Pugh's house.

Prison.

A hospital.

A secured vehicle from a juvenile detention center.

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.

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.