With the exception of the slight rustling of dried stalks where the rice had once grown in the spring, the silence was as oppressive as the lump Ju-Lin felt in her throat. She gazed at the parched rice paddies and wondered when she had last seen a raindrop. The severe drought had dried all the crops and spread despair across the land like wildfire. Now, it had suddenly taken on an even more ominous meaning, for Ju-Lin had felt her world come to a crashing halt with her father’s words moments earlier.
“Ju-Lin,” her father had said that evening, “the time I dread has come. There is so little food left that even the crickets have failed to chirp.
Quen Law/YonSheng Xuan. Cricket Media Incorporated
Question
Use the excerpt from “The Invisible Red String” to answer the question.
Which simile uses the setting to emphasize the problem?
(1 point)
Responses
“slight rustling of dried stalks”
“slight rustling of dried stalks”
“even the crickets have failed to chirp”
“even the crickets have failed to chirp”
“spread despair like wildfire”
“spread despair like wildfire”
“world come crashing to a halt”
Engaged to a Nun
by Translated by Herbert A. Giles
They invited her in, and there she saw a young girl of about eighteen sitting in the parlour, and as great a beauty as she had ever set eyes on. Now, as she was always thinking of making a good match for her son, and curing him of his settled melancholy, she asked who the young lady might be; and they told her that her name was Wang,—that she was a connection of their own, and that her father and mother being dead, she was staying temporarily with them. Chên’s mother inquired the name of Miss Wang’s betrothed, but they said she was not engaged; and then taking her hand, she entered into conversation, and was very much charmed with her. Passing the night there, Chên’s mother took her cousin into her confidence, and the latter agreed that it would be a capital match; “but,” added she, “this young lady is somewhat ambitious, or she would hardly have remained single so long. We must think about it.” Meanwhile, Chên’s mother and Miss Wang got on so extremely well together that they were already on the terms of mother and daughter; and Miss Wang was invited to accompany her home.
"Engaged to a Nun" by Herbert A. Giles
Question
Use the story excerpt to answer the question.
Which piece of context would be most useful to have in order to evaluate the events in this excerpt?
(1 point)
Responses
understanding how weddings were typically celebrated in this culture at this time
understanding how weddings were typically celebrated in this culture at this time
knowing whether it was common in this culture for mothers to choose wives for their sons
knowing whether it was common in this culture for mothers to choose wives for their sons
knowing how long a typical engagement lasted in this culture before a wedding
knowing how long a typical engagement lasted in this culture before a wedding
understanding any official or unwritten rules of betrothal in this culture
Use the story excerpt to answer the question.
The lion stepped onto the throne and sat. The throne had a proud, intelligent look to it. Its sharp angles and gleaming spikes warned lesser animals to consider carefully before approaching. The mouse skittered forward, bowed to the lion, and said, “Sir, I fear your advisors are clucking like chickens behind your back. They say you are no leader at all. But what do they know?!”
How does the meaning of “clucking like chickens” help reveal something about the culture this story is from?
(1 point)
Responses
It helps show what the culture thinks of chickens.
It helps show what the culture thinks of chickens.
It helps show what the culture thinks of advisors.
It helps show what the culture thinks of advisors.
It helps show what the culture thinks of leaders.
It helps show what the culture thinks of leaders.
It helps show what the culture thinks of gossip.
Chapter 1: Sarai is nervous about her job interview. She spends her morning getting ready and practicing what she will say.
Chapter 2: Aldric has never interviewed people for a job before. He spends his morning rehearsing his questions in a mirror and occasionally searching the internet for better questions to ask. He agonizes that he will sound foolish to a qualified candidate.
Chapter 3: Sarai arrives at the interview and is told Aldric will be right with her. She grows increasingly nervous as time passes and he does not appear.
Chapter 4: Aldric is panicking in his office, imagining scenarios where the superstar he is interviewing discovers that Aldric is, himself, unqualified, and walks out.
Chapter 5: Aldric and Sarai shake hands across the table. They both smile nervously. The interview begins.
Question
Use the story description to answer the question.
How does dramatic irony create different points of view entering the final chapter?
(1 point)
Responses
The characters enter the chapter expecting a negative outcome, while the reader enters the chapter expecting a positive outcome.
The characters enter the chapter expecting a negative outcome, while the reader enters the chapter expecting a positive outcome.
Sarai enters the chapter expecting a negative outcome, while Aldric enters the chapter expecting a positive outcome.
Sarai enters the chapter expecting a negative outcome, while Aldric enters the chapter expecting a positive outcome.
The characters enter the chapter expecting a positive outcome, while the reader enters the chapter expecting a negative outcome.
The characters enter the chapter expecting a positive outcome, while the reader enters the chapter expecting a negative outcome.
Sarai enters the chapter expecting a positive outcome, while Aldric enters the chapter expecting a negative outcome.
1 answer
Here are the answers to your questions based on the excerpts provided:
The Invisible Red String Which simile uses the setting to emphasize the problem? Answer: “spread despair like wildfire”
This simile emphasizes the widespread nature of despair caused by the drought and relates it directly to the setting of the parched rice paddies.
Engaged to a Nun Which piece of context would be most useful to have in order to evaluate the events in this excerpt? Answer: knowing whether it was common in this culture for mothers to choose wives for their sons
This context is crucial to understanding the dynamics of the engagement and the societal norms regarding marriage.
How does the meaning of “clucking like chickens” help reveal something about the culture this story is from? Answer: It helps show what the culture thinks of gossip.
The phrase implies that the advisors are engaging in trivial discussions or gossip, which reveals a cultural attitude towards the behavior of advisors.
How does dramatic irony create different points of view entering the final chapter? Answer: The characters enter the chapter expecting a negative outcome, while the reader enters the chapter expecting a positive outcome.
The contrasting perspectives create tension, as the reader may anticipate a different realization or resolution than the characters themselves expect.
If you have any further questions or need clarification, feel free to ask!
