Question

Part A: Why is John determined to continue his journey even when he is afraid? By the Waters of Babylon Study Guide by Stephen Vincent Benét


A. He wants to become famous

B. He knows becoming a man requires courage

C. He wants to prove his father wrong

D. He is running from another tribe

Part B: Which evidence best supports the answer?

A. “My heart was troubled for it is not easy to be a priest.”

B. “I felt the fear but my spirit was strong in me.”

C. “The forest people were many and strong.”

D. “The river was wide and the current swift.”



Part A: What does John realize when he sees the dead man sitting in the chair?

A. The gods were human

B. The gods still live there

C. The city is haunted

D. Humans never lived in the city

Part B: Which text evidence best supports this?

A. “It was a dead man in the chair.”

B. “He looked like any man of my people.”

C. “My knees shook but I did not run.”

D. “The room was still and silent.”



Part A: What is one central idea of the story?

A. Fear should control your decisions

B. Knowledge leads to progress

C. Nature is stronger than humans

D. The gods will return

Part B: Which evidence best supports this?

A. “We must build again.”

B. “My hunger for knowledge had grown.”

C. “The dogs howled in the darkness.”

D. “The fire had burned everything.”



Part A: Why does John’s father warn him not to tell too much truth at once?

A. The people won’t understand

B. The truth would anger the forest people

C. The priests want to keep secrets

D. John is too young

Part B: Which evidence best supports this?

A. “They must learn slow, else they will learn nothing.”

B. “Do not go east, my son.”

Answer 1

1)
Part A: B — He knows becoming a man requires courage.
Part B: B — “I felt the fear but my spirit was strong in me.”

2)
Part A: A — The gods were human.
Part B: B — “He looked like any man of my people.”

3)
Part A: B — Knowledge leads to progress.
Part B: B — “My hunger for knowledge had grown.”

4)
Part A: A — The people won’t understand.
Part B: A — “They must learn slow, else they will learn nothing.”