Harriet Tubman's Dangerous Journeys

Written by Studio AM.

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.

Questions

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  1. Question 1 of 4

    What does the passage suggest about Tubman's character?

  2. Question 2 of 4

    In the passage, the Underground Railroad was actually what?

  3. Question 3 of 4

    Why did Tubman often travel in winter?

  4. Question 4 of 4

    What is the passage mostly about?

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