Escape from alcatraz
close reading & critical thinking
Close-Reading Questions
Critical-Thinking Questions
Close-Reading Questions
- On page 7, author Deborah Hopkinson asks, "Could Morris and the Anglin brothers pull off the most daring escape in the history of Alcatraz?" According to the article, what was daring about the men's planned escape?
- On page 8, Hopkinson explains that Alcatraz was designed to be the most escape-proof prison in America. Why was this detail important to the story of Morris and the Anglin's escape?
- In the first paragraph of "Harsh Punishment,” what sensory details does Hopkinson use? What is the effect of the sensory details – that is, what do they help you imagine or understand?
- What idea or ideas about Alcatraz are supported by the information about Al Capone on page 9? Explain.
Critical-Thinking Questions
- As you read, did you find yourself rooting for Morris and the Anglins, hoping they would succeed in their escape? Why or why not?
- Why do you think people continue to be interested in the story of Morris and the Anglin brothers’ escape from Alcatraz?
- Hopkinson notes that Alcatraz officials concluded that Morris and the Anglins died during their escape attempt, while the Anglins’ family insist that the brothers survived. Why might prison officials have wanted to believe that the three men died? Why might the Anglin brothers’ family wanted to believe that they survived?
Did they make it |
read, think, explain |
study guide |
Posted 10-8-2019
summary |
text structure |
10-15-2019