Underground Railroad Discussion Questions
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Underground Railroad Discussion Questions
A Journey Toward Freedom
In the 1840s, a young woman named Ruth lived enslaved in Maryland. She had heard that people could escape north, where slavery was illegal, but the journey was dangerous. Enslaved people were treated as property under the law, and anyone who helped them could face severe punishment. One winter evening, Ruth slipped away. She carried a small piece of cornbread and followed directions given by a trusted neighbor. At the edge of a wooded road, she found a lantern glowing in a window. The family inside was part of a secret network later called the Underground Railroad. They gave Ruth food, a dry place to rest, and directions to the next safe house. Ruth traveled mostly at night, hiding by day. She did not ride a train. Helpers sometimes used wagons, boats, or their own homes to shelter people. Each leg of the trip depended on careful planning and trust. A free Black sailor named Joseph guided Ruth across a river, then warned her to avoid the main road. After many weeks, Ruth reached Pennsylvania, a free state. She was safer, but she still worried about family members she had left behind. She later chose to help other people escape. The Underground Railroad had no single leader or official route. It worked because many people—Black and white, free and formerly enslaved—chose to resist slavery and help others, even at great personal risk.
Understand the Passage
Use evidence from the passage in your answers.
- She was avoiding detection because escaping was dangerous.
- She wanted to watch the stars for fun.
- The helpers were unable to travel in daylight.
- She was waiting for a train to arrive.
Think Like a Reader
Look closely at the author's choices and the ideas in the passage.
- To show that helping required courage and involved serious risk.
- To explain why helpers always traveled by boat.
- To prove that Ruth was already safe in Maryland.
- To show that the network had an official leader.
- Many different people offered shelter, food, directions, and help along the way.
- Ruth carried a small piece of cornbread.
- The journey happened during winter.
- Pennsylvania was a free state.
3 printable pages
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