Biography · Level 4 · 189 words
Harriet Tubman's Dangerous Journeys
Original passage © Team AM, written for Hone Literacy.
Harriet Tubman was born into slavery in the United States in the early 1820s. As a young woman, she made a bold decision to escape, traveling north on foot, often at night, until she reached a state where she could be free.
Many people would have stopped there, content with their own freedom. Tubman did not. She returned to the South again and again to lead others out of slavery. To do this, she relied on a secret system known as the Underground Railroad, which was not a real railroad at all. It was a network of safe houses and trusted helpers who hid escaping people and pointed them toward freedom.
Tubman became famous for her courage and caution. She traveled in winter, when long nights gave more cover, and she planned routes carefully to avoid capture. It is said that she never lost a single person she guided. Later in her life, she also worked as a nurse and a scout during the Civil War, and she spoke out for the rights of women. Her steady bravery made her one of the most admired figures of her time.
Comprehension questions
1. What does the passage suggest about Tubman's character?
- A She cared only about her own safety
- B She was brave and willing to risk herself to help others
- C She avoided all danger
- D She disliked planning
Show answer
B. She was brave and willing to risk herself to help others
She repeatedly returned to the South to free others despite great risk, showing selfless bravery.
2. In the passage, the Underground Railroad was actually what?
- A A train that ran below ground
- B A network of safe houses and helpers
- C A river route
- D A type of tunnel
Show answer
B. A network of safe houses and helpers
The text says it was not a real railroad but a network of safe houses and helpers.
3. Why did Tubman often travel in winter?
- A The weather was warmer
- B Long nights gave more cover
- C Trains ran only in winter
- D She preferred the snow
Show answer
B. Long nights gave more cover
The passage states she traveled in winter because long nights gave more cover.
Source: Written for Hone Literacy. Original passage © Team AM, written for Hone Literacy.