Phillis Wheatley arrived in America on a slave ship in 1761. She was thought to be eight years old at the time. After her arrival, Phillis was sold to the Wheatleys, a Boston family whose last name she took. Members of the family helped teach Phillis how to read and write. Since most enslaved people were not allowed any schooling at that time, Phillis's education was an anomaly. Phillis learned about many topics, including history, languages, and science. At the age of thirteen, she published her first poem. In 1773, Phillis Wheatley made history by becoming the first African American to publish a book of poems. She became one of the first American women to do so as well.

Question

Select the text from the paragraph that best helps you understand that anomaly means something uncommon. There may be more than one correct choice.

Select the text from the paragraph that best helps you understand that anomaly means something uncommon. There may be more than one correct choice.

Answer 1

The text from the paragraph that best helps you understand that "anomaly" means something uncommon is:

1. "Since most enslaved people were not allowed any schooling at that time, Phillis's education was an anomaly."
2. "Phillis learned about many topics, including history, languages, and science."

Both of these selections highlight that Phillis Wheatley's education was unusual and differed from the common experience of other enslaved people.