Study Questions

The following questions can be answered while viewing the video entitled The Cost of Freedom: The Story of William B. Travis. We recommend that the class (1) watch the video once for drama, and (2) then watch it a second time for notes.

  1. William B. Travis was born in __________________ in ________________________ .

  2. He was the ____________ (oldest, second, third, etc.) of _____________ brothers and sisters.

  3. By the time he was 21, he had held various types of jobs? Name three of them. _________________ __________________________ and ____________________________________ .

  4. Travis had emerged as an ______________________ and ____________________ natural leader.

  5. But he could also be _______________________ and ______________________.

  6. William B. Travis came to Texas because he _____________________________________________ .

  7. William B. Travis' son was named _____________________________ .

  8. As a Mexican state, Texas was granted __________________ under the Mexican Constitution of 1824.

  9. To enforce his rule, Santa Anna established a _______________ in an old Spanish mission called ____________________ , just outside the town of ___________________________________ .

  10. The Mexican leader at the Alamo was ______________________________ .

  11. On what date did Santa Anna arrive at the Alamo? _________________________ .

  12. The Mexicans had about __________________ soldiers at the Alamo.

  13. The Texans had about __________________ soldiers at the Alamo.

  14. One of the women at the Alamo was named _________________________________ .

  15. Travis was _____________ years old when he died at the Alamo.

  16. What was the date of William B. Travis' death? ____________________________

  17. In the video, what strange thing did you notice about the librarian's watch? _______________________-


Discussion Questions

The following questions are designed for group discussion following class viewing of the video.

  1. Is it important to stand up for what you believe?

  2. Is there a time when you should give your life for what you believe?

  3. What were the important character traits of William Barret Travis?

  4. What character traits are important in your life--honesty, courage, standing for your beliefs?

  5. Did William Barret Travis have character traits that you would like in your life?

  6. At the start of the video, Angie was sarcastic and argumentative. Do you know students like this? How do you feel about those students? At the end of the video, how had Angie's attitude changed and why?

  7. The librarian seemed to be a feeble grouch at the start. What was the librarian really like? Are people really like they seem when you first meet them?

  8. What is a library? Can books really take you on adventures to other places?


Answers to Study Questions

  1. South Carolina, 1809
  2. Oldest, 10
  3. His uncle Alex
  4. Lawyer, newspaper editor, school teacher, businessman, officer in the militia
  5. Ambitious, headstrong
  6. Harsh, unforgiving
  7. Killed a man in a dispute
  8. Charles
  9. Local rule
  10. Garrison, the Alamo, San Antonio
  11. Santa Anna
  12. February 24, 1836
  13. 4000
  14. 200
  15. Mrs. Dickinson
  16. 26
  17. March 6, 1936
  18. Instead of hours, it is measured in centuries.