Question

Read the excerpt from chapter 2 of Night.

Lying down was not an option, nor could we all sit down. We decided to take turns sitting. There was little air. The lucky ones found themselves near a window; they could watch the blooming countryside flit by.

After two days of travel, thirst became intolerable, as did the heat.

What is the purpose of this passage?

to describe how the prisoners live
to tell where the prisoners are going
to establish the setting as a moving train
to indicate where the train is headed

Answer 1

to establish the setting as a moving train

The details (taking turns sitting, little air, watching the countryside flit by, two days of travel, thirst and heat) show they're traveling on a crowded, moving train rather than describing where they're going or how they live permanently.