Black Brother, Black Brother

Reading Check and Short Answer Questions on key plot points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

Part 1

Reading Check

1. Where do Trey and Donte go to school?

2. Who coined the phrase “Black brother, black brother?”

3. Where did the Ellisons live before moving to Newton?

4. What is Denise’s job?

5. What is the name of Donte’s coach?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. After the headmaster falsely accuses Donte of throwing a pencil, what does Donte do that the headmaster believes is reason enough to call the police, even though no one is harmed?

2. Why is the police officer shocked that Trey and Donte are brothers?

3. Why does Donte worry when a police car passes him while on a walk?

Paired Resource

“The Performance of Racial Passing”

• This New York Times article discusses Nella Larsen’s Passing and what it means to “pass” within the context of race. (Subscription may be needed for viewing.)
• How does this article (and the mention of Passing) relate to Donte and Trey’s relationship? How does it help us to better understand the difficulty Donte experiences?

Part 2

Reading Check

1. Coach says he can teach a lot of things, but what does he say he can’t teach?

2.