(Reading) Hellen Keller Worksheet
(Reading) Hellen Keller Worksheet
As Helen grew up, she tried to communicate with her family and friends. It was sometimes
frustrating for her because it was hard to let others know what she needed. At times, she would get
angry and throw tantrums. Helen quickly realized she was different, and her parents recognized she
needed help.
They called the Perkins Institute for the Blind in Boston to get advice. The director said Annie
Sullivan might be able to help. Annie used to attend the school when she was blind, but she got a
special surgery when she was 15 and was able to see. Since she understood what it’s like to be blind,
people thought she could really help Helen. Little did anybody know that they were about to form a
50 year friendship and special bond.
Now imagine how hard it would be to learn words when you’re blind and deaf. Annie began to
teach Helen words, and she had some special tricks. For example, let’s say she wanted to teach her
the word, cup. She would place a cup in one of Helen’s hands and she would press the letters C-U-P in
the other hand.
Helen started learning some words this way. It was not easy and things didn’t really click just yet.
When Helen was 16 years old, she went to Radcliffe College for women in Massachusetts. This
was her first time in a public school. Annie went to class with her to help her. Helen did really well in
school and graduated with honors. She then went
on to college and wrote articles and books about
her unique experiences.
1. According to the article, how did Helen Keller become blind and deaf?
a. She was born blind and deaf.
b. She was in a terrible horseback riding accident.
c. She became blind and deaf later in life due to old age.
d. She contracted a serious illness as a child.
2. Based on the information in the article, why did Helen Keller become angry and upset when she
was a child?
a. Keller was used to getting her way, and she had tantrums when she didn't get her way.
b. Keller was frustrated that she couldn't communicate with her family and friends.
c. Keller was treated unkindly by her brothers and sisters because of her disabilities.
d. Keller experienced a lot of physical pain from her disabilities.
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a. Helen Keller learned how to read Braille, use a typewriter, and even speak.
b. Helen Keller lived a very isolated life, surrounded only by family and a couple friends.
c. Helen Keller lived until the age of eighty-seven years old.
d. Helen Keller became an author and a political and social activist.
The following terms are vocabulary words from the article. Match the vocabulary
word with its correct definition by writing the corresponding letter on the line.
4. _____ techniques d. a system of raised bumps on a surface that people who are
blind can read with their fingertips
In the article, “Great Minds: Helen Keller,” you learned how Helen Keller overcame
the challenges of being a blind and deaf woman with the help of two amazing
women who served as her teachers and friends.
On the lines below, write about someone who taught you something valuable in
your life. You could write about one of your school teachers, a coach, a music
teacher, a tutor, or even one of your parents or older siblings. Describe what they
taught you and why it is important to you.
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