The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind Chapter 8

Front

What does the simile "it spread like grassfire" mean in the context: "Doctors said the sickness started in southern Malawi back in November. A farmer visiting a funeral brought it north, where it spread like grassfire. Within days, hundreds of people were sick and twelve had died."?

Back

The sickness was moving quickly.

Front

Which word or phrase from the excerpt best helps the reader to understand the meaning of the simile “it spread like grassfire”?

Back

within days

Front

What best describes a central idea in this chapter?

Back

William and his family struggled to survive when hunger and cholera struck their village, and their suffering was stopped by the dowe.

Front

Which pieces of evidence from the chapter best help to convey the central idea from Part A? (RI.6.1)

Back

“My arms and legs looked like blue-gum poles and ached all the time” (131) and “ . . . the blood of life seemed to rush back into his face” (135).

Front

Which of the following best describes the structure used by the writers in this chapter? (RI.6.5)

Back

Problem/Solution

Front

What is the function of the sentence “THE DOWE IS READY!” (134) within the structure of chapter 8?

Back

This sentence introduces the solution to the problems William and his community were facing in the chapter.

Front

How does the sentence "THE DOWE IS READY!" help to develop the central idea of chapter 8?

Back

The part of the chapter before that sentence describes a big problem. It explains that life can become dangerous when a crop fails. This sentence helps the reader move from that problem to its solution. It highlights how the dowe, or maize, could help the situation. The rest of the chapter contains more information about the dowe. It explains how important the dowe is for a community’s survival. The problem-solution structure in this chapter helps the reader see the big hunger problems in William’s community and how the dowe could help save them.

Front

What can we infer about William’s character from his dialogue in chapter 8?

Back

He is optimistic and hopeful.

Front

What type of figurative language is being used in William's allusion to the Bible parable: “Mr. Geoffrey, we’re like those seeds planted on fertile soil, not on the roadside, stepped on by everyone walking past” (136)?

Back

Simile

Front

At the end of chapter 8, William makes an allusion to a Bible parable and says, “Mr. Geoffrey, we’re like those seeds planted on fertile soil, not on the roadside, stepped on by everyone walking past” (136).

Back

Malawians and seeds planted on fertile soil