Family Trip to Washington D.C.

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Questions and Answers

Match the following family members with their respective graduation achievements:

The narrator = Graduated from eighth grade Phyllis = Graduated from high school The father = Carried large suitcases The mother = Prepared food for the trip

Match the following cities with their significance in the narrator's journey:

Washington D.C. = Travel destination for July 4th Philadelphia = Disappointment over not seeing the Liberty Bell Connecticut = Location for childhood trips New York = Not mentioned during the trip

Match the following statements with their corresponding subjects:

Dining car food is expensive = Mother's reminder Phyllis would not be happy = Explanation about hotel accommodation White classmates on a trip = Phyllis's high school experience Refraining from eating in dining cars = Mother's preference

Match the following events with their descriptions:

Family trip to Washington D.C. = Fourth of July celebration Narrator's first daytime train trip = Compared to previous night trips Graduation gatherings = Transition from childhood Lincoln Memorial visit = Marian Anderson's performance location Signup and view all the answers

Match the following social issues with their context from the text:

Racial segregation in hotels = Phyllis's class trip experience Dining car restrictions = Specific to railroad dining experiences Mother's attitudes towards discrimination = Ignored the inconvenience Father's insistence = Determined to have a proper trip Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their descriptions as mentioned in the text:

Squinting = The action characterized by her reaction to summer brightness Negro = A term used by the father, signaling a past era's view on race Fourth of July = A celebration viewed negatively by Black people in the country Pavement = Lighter in color than that back home in New York City Signup and view all the answers

Match the following individuals with their characteristics or actions in the story:

Father = Had a great sense of history and flair for drama Mother = Was seated between her children at the soda fountain Waitress = Expressed embarrassment when serving the family Sisters = Seated on the opposite side of their mother at the counter Signup and view all the answers

Match the following locations with their significance according to the narrative:

Washington D.C. = Perceived to have stronger light and heat than New York City Pennsylvania Avenue = Location where the family walked back to their hotel Breyer's Ice Cream = Place the family stopped for ice cream to cool off Auditorium = Refused access to a Black singer as recounted in the father’s story Signup and view all the answers

Match the emotions or experiences with the corresponding characters in the text:

Daughter = Felt silent agony during childhood summers Father = Experienced a sense of specialness on the family trip Mother = Had a preference against sunglasses for the family Waitress = Displayed embarrassment when refusing service Signup and view all the answers

Match the following themes with their examples in the passage:

Racial Inequality = The refusal to allow the Black singer to perform Family Bonding = The family enjoying ice cream together Historical Awareness = The father's delight in the significance of their trip Summer Discomfort = The daughter's squinting due to bright sunlight Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Family trip to Washington D.C.

The narrator's family takes a Fourth of July trip to Washington D.C. as a graduation present for the narrator and her sister.
The trip signifies a transition for the narrator from childhood to a new stage in life.
The narrator's experience highlights the racial discrimination that Black people faced in the 1940s.

Travel and Discrimination

The narrator's family travels by train, highlighting the limited options for Black people during segregation.
The narrator's mother avoids the dining car because of the fear of unsanitary conditions, but the real reason was the segregation policy.
Phyllis's high school class trip was also affected by segregation, preventing her from experiencing the trip fully.

Historical Significance

The narrator's family visits the Lincoln Memorial, a symbol of freedom and equality, recognizing the significance of Marian Anderson's performance.
The narrator's father's account of the event reflects his progressive views for his time.

Sensory Experience

The narrator's sensitive eyes are uncomfortable with the summer brightness, highlighting the physical toll of living in a segregated society.
The narrator's description of the Washington D.C. environment, including the light, heat, and pavement, emphasizes the difference from her home in New York City.
The narrator's father's "treat" of ice cream becomes a turning point, highlighting the harsh realities of segregation.

Segregation Encountered

The family's attempt to enjoy ice cream is met with prejudice, as the waitress tells them they can "take out" but not "eat here".
The narrator's family's reaction is described as "straight-backed and indignant," symbolizing their defiance against injustice.

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Description

Explore a family's Fourth of July trip to Washington D.C. that marks a significant transition for the narrator. The journey uncovers themes of racial discrimination faced by Black individuals in the 1940s and the historical importance of landmarks like the Lincoln Memorial. Dive into a narrative that intertwines personal growth with societal challenges.