Prove It in Reading

Point to the Text Before You Click (Grades 6-8)

Investigator Name:

Date of Entry:

The "Point Before You Click" Protocol

Identify your suspect (the answer), but don't arrest them until you have the proof! Underline the evidence in the text and record the Line Number(s) in the Evidence Log.

Case File: The Carroll A. Deering

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On the morning of January 31, 1921, the Coast Guard station at Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, spotted a massive five-masted schooner grounded on the treacherous Diamond Shoals. The ship was the Carroll A. Deering, returning to Norfolk from Brazil. Due to the raging surf, rescue boats could not reach the vessel for several days. When they finally boarded on February 4, they found a scene that would baffle investigators for over a century.

The ship was entirely desolate, but there were no signs of a struggle. Strangely, food was laid out on the galley tables as if the crew had been preparing for a meal. All personal belongings, the crew’s nautical instruments, and the two lifeboats were missing. The only living creature found on board was a six-toed cat. The steering gear had been sabotaged, and the ship’s logbook—which would have recorded the crew's final moments—was nowhere to be found.

The U.S. government launched an extensive investigation involving the FBI and the Navy. One popular theory suggested piracy, as the ship had been sailing through a region known for rum-running during Prohibition. However, another more likely theory pointed toward internal conflict. Captain Willis Wormell, an experienced sailor, had reportedly been at odds with his first mate, McLellan. During a stop in Barbados, McLellan was heard threatening the captain in a local cafe, shouting that he would "get the captain before the trip was over."

A third possibility involves the "Bermuda Triangle," a mysterious area where numerous ships have vanished without a trace. While scientists point to erratic weather and shifting sands as the cause of the wreck, the total disappearance of eleven men remains an unsolved mystery. To this day, the Carroll A. Deering is remembered as one of the most haunting maritime mysteries in American history, leaving only questions in its wake as the Atlantic tides slowly swallowed its remains.

Investigative Questions

1. Based on the text, what can be inferred about the crew's departure from the ship?

A. They left in a hurry while under attack by pirates.

B. They planned to return to the ship after their meal.

C. They intentionally abandoned the ship using lifeboats.

D. They were forced off the ship by a sudden storm.

Evidence Log

Line #(s)

2. As used in line 9, what does the word "desolate" mean?

A. Ruined or physically destroyed

B. Empty and without inhabitants

C. Dark and frightening

D. Noisy and chaotic

Evidence Log

Line #(s)

3. Which detail best supports the theory that the crew's disappearance was caused by mutiny?

A. The ship was returning to Norfolk from Brazil.

B. The first mate made threats against Captain Wormell.

C. The ship was found grounded on Diamond Shoals.

D. The FBI and the Navy launched a joint investigation.

Evidence Log

Line #(s)

4. How does the author organize the information in paragraph 2?

A. By comparing the condition of the ship to other famous wrecks.

B. By listing specific details that made the discovery unusual.

C. By explaining the causes of the damage to the ship's steering gear.

D. By describing the rescue mission in chronological order.

Evidence Log

Line #(s)

5. What is the central idea of the passage?

A. Scientific research has solved the mystery of the Diamond Shoals.

B. The Carroll A. Deering crew was likely captured by rum-running pirates.

C. Multiple theories attempt to explain the unexplained disappearance of a ship's crew.

D. Sailing through the Outer Banks was the most dangerous part of Prohibition-era travel.

Evidence Log

Line #(s)

6. Which statement summarizes the author's perspective on the "Bermuda Triangle" theory?

A. The author believes it is the most logical explanation for the disappearance.

B. The author dismisses it as a superstition with no basis in reality.

C. The author acknowledges it as a theory while noting that science offers natural explanations.

D. The author suggests that the U.S. Navy has confirmed this theory.

Evidence Log

Line #(s)

Evidence review complete. Ensure all selections are justified by textual data.

Evidence Files Practice

Evidence Files Practice

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