Feature

Question

Big Water
by Andrea Curtis

Today I feel only dread. I’m sweating again—my cheeks are flushed. I thought I would feel relieved to be back in civilization, to be rescued from certain death, but instead, seeing the town and the men rushing about on the dock, the boats and sails and horse-drawn wagons, I’m struck again by what we have just endured. I want to find Daniel, see his face, know that he remembers too, but he’s tunneled down beneath the blankets like a mole.

“Parry Sound,” Henry calls out, and I see the blankets covering Daniel begin to stir.

Along the shore, lumber is stacked in piles as high as a schooner. It looks like a pencil drawing done with a ruler—perfect, straight lines. Boats, most of them small, meant for fishing, dot the bay here and there. Some are tied up at dock; others are anchored in the water just past the river. The chimney stacks of houses and large wood-frame buildings whisper smoky murmurs into the sky.

I hear the hwah of a seagull and look up, hoping absurdly to see the bird from the other day. But there are many seagulls, all of them flying around like tugboats escorting a ship into harbor.

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Question
Use the excerpt from “Big Water” to answer the question.

It is possible to infer from this excerpt something about what Henry and Eva have done for Daniel and the narrator.

What inference can you make?

In 3–5 very very very short and tiny small sentences, state your inference and provide strong and thorough textual evidence from the excerpt to support the inference.


(4 points)

Short Answer Rubric (4 points)
Points Awarded Criteria
4
The answer is very clear.

The answer is fully supported by details.

There may be a few errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics. Errors do not interfere with meaning.

3
The answer is mostly clear.

The answer is supported by mostly relevant details.

There are a few errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics. Errors do not interfere with meaning.

2
The answer is somewhat clear.

Details are weak or not related.

There are some errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics. Errors interfere with meaning.

1
The answer is not clear.

There are few or no supporting details.

There are many errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics. Errors interfere with meaning.

0 The question is not answered.
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Answer 1

Inference: Henry and Eva have helped Daniel and the narrator cope with their traumatic experience.

Textual Evidence:

1. The narrator feels dread instead of relief despite being rescued, indicating they have endured something traumatic.
2. The reference to Daniel being “tunneled down beneath the blankets like a mole” suggests he is struggling to confront their recent experiences.
3. Henry calls out “Parry Sound,” signaling a supportive presence, trying to bring Daniel back to reality.

This implies that Henry and Eva's actions contribute to the narrator and Daniel's emotional recovery.