1. Close-Reading Questions
Escape from Alcatraz
Close-Reading Questions

2. #1 - Close Reading Questions
To start with, the preparation was daring . The men carved holes in their cells walls and hid in the ventilation system while building a raft, lifejackets, and dummies (6- 7). Had the men been discovered engaging in these activities-or during or after their escape-they would have been severely punished; happen soon notes that Alcatraz inmates who broke the rules "faced harsh punishment “ (9). The escape was also daring because of the danger the men faced in attempting to cross San Francisco Bay, which Hopkinson described as having frigid waters and strong currents, and being full of sharks (7, 10).

3. #2 - Close Reading Questions
Knowing that Alcatraz was designed to be the most escape proof prison in the country helps the reader understand just how bold and impressive the escape of Morris and he Anglins from the prison was. (Text-Structure)

4. #3 - Close Reading Questions
Hopkinson includes many details about the sounds of Alcatraz: she writes that life in the prison was "punctuated by the cleaning of bars in the distant blaring of foghorns,” that "a gong signal to wake up at 6:30 A.M.,” and that "the shriek of a whistle” signaled the men to march to breakfast. These details give the reader a vivid sense of the atmosphere at Alcatraz and allow the reader to imagine being in the present, hearing the same jarring and mournful sounds day after day. (Authors Craft)

5. #4 - Close Reading Questions
The information about Capone supports the idea of the Alcatraz had extremely tight security and was therefore very difficult to escape from. Hopkinson notes Capone was able to "pull strings "at other prisons but not at Alcatraz; this illustrates that even the most powerful criminals were under strict control. The information about Capone’s crimes supports the idea that Alcatraz housed America's worst criminals. (Text Structure)