Absolutenglish is a site for students and teachers of English, grades 9 -12.

THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD


ACTIVITY 1


  • ANTICIPATE: Judging from the title of the following web site "Pathways to freedom: Maryland and the Underground Railroad", What can you infer / guess about

    - its theme? it must be about……………………………………….

    - the country (nations) concerned ? The country concerned is likely to ……………………

    - the specific topic : …………………………………………………………………..

    What do you think the "Underground Railroad" refers to? Decompose the word "underground" to try and understand what it means.
    …………………………………………………………………………………………………
    ………………………………………………………………………………………………..

 

 

Find information about the underground railroad

dates:………………………………………..


Places (countries; regions…)………………………………………………………………


2 different categories of people (names, role in society, etc…)………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………............................................…


Ways and means: ……………………………………………………………………


Consequences……………………………………………………………………….

 

 

  • NOTE DOWN 4 very relevant adjectives to qualify the "Underground Railroad"
1- 2- 3- 4-
  • NOTE DOWN 4 relevant Verbs relating to the 'underground railroad
1- 2- 3- 4-

 

  • START FOLLOWING THE FOOTSTEPS
    Follow the footsteps and answer the following questions along

1- Where were you born?


2- Who are you


3- How old are you?


4- Who are your only remaining living relatives (= family members)


5- Can you read and write? Why or why not?


6- What are your every day duties (chores , obligations, …)


7- Who is Cyrus?


8- What does the word "Freedom" mean to you?


9- What happened to your master last week?


10- What could be the consequences?


11- What decision do you eventually make? Whose steps did you follow?

 

 



Continue the journey taking notes as you go along
collect enough information and write so as to write a short summary of your adventure.

Describe one photo of your choice.


ACTIVITY 2

Click HERE at http://nationalgeographic.com/features/99/railroad/index.html

And answer the following questions as you go along your journey.

1- Who are you?


2- When and where does the scene take place?


3- Do you accept to run away? YES / NO
If answer no: why do you decide to stay?
If answer YES: Meet Harriet


4- Where do you meet her?


5- What is Harriet 's surname? What are her nicknames (find 2 nicknames) ? when did she run away?


6- What does she look like?


7- Where does she want to take you to?


8- How can you recognize a house that is friendly, where people will help you to run away?


9- Would you trust such a sign? YES/ NO
If NO: what will probably happen if you refuse help from others?
If YES: What will happen if you trust the people who want to help you? Where will that take you to?


10- what are your impressions on this new place ?


11- Whom do you meet there? (name, activity, role…)


12- Where do you travel to ?


13- Whom do you encounter? (name, job, role…)


14- What does he look like?


15- What is your next destination?


16- How long have you travelled so far? (time + distance)


17- What mountains did you cross?


18- Whom do you eventually meet?


19- Where do they take you to?


20- What is the problem with this new place?


21- Do you accept the final challenge? YES / NO
If NO: What will the future be like for you?
If YES: What new rights are you endowed with?
What will your future life be like?