Civil Rights Movement – Reading &
Comprehension Worksheet
Ruby Bridges
Ruby Bridges was born in Tylertown, Mississippi, in 1954. When she was four years old, Ruby and
her family moved to New Orleans, Louisiana. In 1960, little had changed with educational
segregation. Most schools in the South were still highly segregated. In 1960, the federal court
ordered Louisiana to begin desegregating schools. Based on test scores, Ruby was chosen to
attend an all-white school. Ruby began classes at William Frantz Elementary School, escorted by
U.S. Marshals to protect her from violent protests. Barbara Henry was her first-grade teacher, and
Ruby was her only student in class that year. Ruby never missed a day of school. More Black
students enrolled the following year, and desegregation continued.
1. What was significant about Ruby Bridges attending William Frantz Elementary School?
A) She was the first Black student to integrate an all-white elementary school in the South.
B) She became the youngest teacher in the school.
C) She was the first student to graduate from that school.
D) She started a protest against segregation.
E) She helped write new school laws.
2. How did Ruby Bridges demonstrate courage during her first year at the all-white school?
A) She refused to study until other Black students joined her.
B) She never missed a single day of school despite the threats and protests.
C) She gave speeches about desegregation to her classmates.
D) She organized a march with her teacher.
E) She decided to leave school and study at home.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. King was a civil rights activist who led non-violent protests fighting for the rights of all people. He
is considered one of the greatest speakers of all time. He led the Montgomery Bus Boycott when
Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus. He gave a famous
speech, now known as the “I Have A Dream” speech, at the March on Washington. He wrote many
speeches and letters that inspired people during the Civil Rights Movement, and still inspire people
today.
1. What was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. known for?
A) Leading non-violent protests for civil rights
B) Being the first African American president
C) Writing laws about education
D) Starting violent demonstrations
E) Working as a judge in Montgomery
2. Where did Dr. King deliver his famous “I Have a Dream” speech?
A) At the White House
B) During the Montgomery Bus Boycott
C) At the March on Washington
D) At his church in Atlanta
E) During a school graduation ceremony
Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks grew up in Alabama. She became famous when she refused to give up her seat on the
bus for a white man. She was sitting in the “colored seats” on the bus, but when a white man
boarded the crowded bus, the driver asked her to move even further back to give the man a seat
closer to the already full “white seats.” Even though she was in her allotted section of the bus, the
driver threatened to call the police if she did not move. She refused to give up her seat. The police
came and arrested her for breaking segregation laws. After her arrest, many African American
leaders organized the Montgomery Bus Boycott to protest.
1. Why was Rosa Parks arrested?
A) Because she refused to give up her seat to a white man on the bus
B) Because she spoke during a protest
C) Because she started a march in Washington
D) Because she sat in the white section of a restaurant
E) Because she didn’t pay for her bus ticket
2. What event began after Rosa Parks was arrested?
A) The March on Washington
B) The Civil Rights Act
C) The Montgomery Bus Boycott
D) The Freedom Riders Movement
E) The Voting Rights Campaign
The Little Rock Nine
Even after the Supreme Court ruled that it was illegal for schools to be segregated, many white
schools did not want Black students to attend. In Little Rock, Arkansas this was the case at Central
High School. Nine African American high school students enrolled at Central High with the support
of NAACP leader, Daisy Bates. Angry protesters yelled at the students when they arrived to attend
their first day. Even worse, the governor had called in the National Guard to block the students from
entering the school, even though the Supreme Court said he could not do that. The students didn’t
make it into the building on their first day. President Eisenhower sent the U.S. Army to Little Rock to
protect the students and help them integrate at the school. It was a very difficult journey for the Little
Rock Nine, but they helped the nation take a huge step forward in desegregating schools.
1. What did President Eisenhower do to help the Little Rock Nine?
A) He closed Central High School.
B) He sent the U.S. Army to protect the students.
C) He asked the governor to remove the National Guard.
D) He moved the students to another school.
E) He canceled the Supreme Court’s decision.