The Freedom Writers Diary - Section 1 Quiz

Why did Ms. Gruwell's students initially think she was 'odd'?

Question Answer Choices Because she believed they could read and write when everyone else thought they were stupid and beyond hope. Because she was much older than their previous teachers. Because she had unusual teaching methods involving music. Because she dressed differently from other teachers.

What law prompted a student walkout at Wilson High School?

Question Answer Choices Proposition 187, which would keep undocumented immigrants from all public programs. Proposition 13, which reduced property taxes. Proposition 227, which aimed to eliminate bilingual education. Proposition 98, which set minimum funding levels for schools.

What did a University of California-Irvine professor do after reading about Ms. Gruwell's class in the newspaper?

Question Answer Choices He sent a donation to support their class activities. He invited Ms. Gruwell to speak at a university conference. He offered to fund their next field trip. He invited the class to a seminar with the author of Schindler's List and arranged a meeting with Steven Spielberg.

Why did Ms. Gruwell have to get two night jobs?

Question Answer Choices To pay for her own college tuition. To afford classroom supplies and materials. To fund her ideas for new books, field trips, and guest speakers. To support her family financially.

What event led Ms. Gruwell to change her entire curriculum to focus on tolerance?

Question Answer Choices A student refused to sit next to another student because of their race. A student made a racist comment during a class discussion. A cruel caricature of a Black student's lips circulated in her class. A fight broke out between students of different races in her class.

What was the reaction when Ms. Gruwell's class went to see Schindler's List in a predominantly white neighborhood?

Question Answer Choices The neighborhood welcomed the class and had a discussion about the film. The students were inspired and wrote essays about the movie. The reaction was outrageously prejudiced, leading to a newspaper article and death threats. The class was praised for their interest in history.

How did Ms. Gruwell's students feel about their school and city?

Question Answer Choices They felt it was a place of endless opportunities. They felt it was like a prison, divided solely by race. They felt it was a safe and welcoming environment. They felt it was a supportive community for learning.

What did Ms. Gruwell's students learn from watching the documentary Hoop Dreams?

Question Answer Choices They learned that teamwork is the key to success. They learned that education is more important than sports. They learned that with strong enough passion, they can do anything. They learned that overcoming obstacles is impossible without help.

What did Ms. Gruwell's dyslexic student learn about reading?

Question Answer Choices He learned that, with hard work, he can be successful at both sports and school. He learned that reading is not important for his future. He learned that he will never be good at reading. He learned that sports are more important than academics.

What did Ms. Gruwell's students predict about her when she first started teaching them?

Question Answer Choices They predicted she would leave after a day, and one student gave her a month. They predicted she would be promoted quickly. They predicted she would become their favorite teacher. They predicted she would change her teaching style.