Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
The storm had passed by the time Sarah reached the edge of the forest, but its echoes lingered in the still air. The trees, once swaying in violent rhythm, now stood silent, their leaves clinging to the last remnants of rain. She paused, wiping the wet strands of hair from her face, and looked out over the horizon. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the ground, a final, golden farewell to the tempestuous day. The world seemed to be holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.
Sarah took a deep breath and stepped into the woods. The path was familiar, yet something felt different today—something unsettling. The usual chirping of birds was absent, and the rustling of small animals in the underbrush had quieted. Every step she took seemed amplified in the eerie silence. She glanced behind her, as if expecting the storm to return, but all that greeted her was the fading light. Her footsteps echoed in the stillness, reminding her of the long journey ahead.
As she ventured deeper, the forest seemed to close in around her, its shadows darker now as the last of the sun’s light disappeared. Sarah quickened her pace, the familiar sense of calm she usually found here eluding her. She had walked this path countless times, but today the trees felt like silent watchers, their branches stretching out like fingers, reaching for her. She shook off the creeping sense of dread, telling herself it was just the aftereffects of the storm, but the feeling lingered, tightening her chest.
STANDARD: RL2
Which of the following best describes the main effect of the storm passing?
*
5 points
It represents a physical change in the weather but does not affect Sarah's journey.
It marks a shift in Sarah's perception of the forest as she feels more uneasy.
It signals the resolution of the plot and allows Sarah to continue her journey calmly.
It causes Sarah to abandon her journey, as she cannot continue in the dangerous conditions.
STANDARD: RL4
The phrase "the world seemed to be holding its breath" uses which of the following literary techniques?
*
5 points
Hyperbole
Simile
Metaphor
Personification
STANDARD: RL3
What can be inferred about Sarah from the description of the forest in the third paragraph?
*
5 points
Sarah is feeling nostalgic about past journeys through the forest.
Sarah is becoming more aware of the dangers around her, feeling watched and uneasy.
Sarah is excited to be in a place she finds peaceful and calming.
Sarah is trying to outrun the storm and is in a rush to escape.
STANDARD: RL5
Which of the following details from the passage contributes to the eerie mood of the scene?
*
5 points
"The world seemed to be holding its breath, waiting for something to happen."
"The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the ground."
"Her footsteps echoed in the stillness, reminding her of the long journey ahead."
"Sarah took a deep breath and stepped into the woods."
STANDARD: RL6
Which of the following sentences best illustrates Sarah’s internal conflict in the passage?
*
5 points
"She glanced behind her, as if expecting the storm to return."
"The usual chirping of birds was absent, and the rustling of small animals in the underbrush had quieted."
"Sarah quickened her pace, the familiar sense of calm she usually found here eluding her."
"She had walked this path countless times, but today the trees felt like silent watchers."
1 answer
Here are the answers to the questions based on the provided passage:
Which of the following best describes the main effect of the storm passing?
Answer: It marks a shift in Sarah's perception of the forest as she feels more uneasy.
The phrase "the world seemed to be holding its breath" uses which of the following literary techniques?
Answer: Personification
What can be inferred about Sarah from the description of the forest in the third paragraph?
Answer: Sarah is becoming more aware of the dangers around her, feeling watched and uneasy.
Which of the following details from the passage contributes to the eerie mood of the scene?
Answer: "Her footsteps echoed in the stillness, reminding her of the long journey ahead."
Which of the following sentences best illustrates Sarah’s internal conflict in the passage?
Answer: "Sarah quickened her pace, the familiar sense of calm she usually found here eluding her."
