By the Waters of Babylon

What is John's intended profession?

• School teacher
• Chief
• Priest
• Enforcer

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

Why does John leave for his journey?

• To learn and gain wisdom
• To encounter the gods of the past
• To disobey his father
• To live in the Place of the Dead

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

What does John discover to be untrue about the Place of the Gods?

• He discovers that there is only water magic and no fire magic in the Place of the Gods.
• He discovers that the Place of the Gods was never truly destroyed.
• He discovers that there are no gods living in the Place of the Gods.
• He discovers that the Place of the Gods was once ruled by his father.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.W.9-10.9

When and where does this story take place?

• In a post-apocalyptic American city, after a terrible war.
• In a futuristic, Utopian society with flying cars.
• In Amsterdam's distant past, after World War I.
• In a fictional underground world during a war between various peoples.

Based on the selection below, what is the tone of the story?
I looked out of another window—the great vines of their bridges were mended, and the god roads went east and west. Restless, restless, were the gods and always in motion! They burrowed tunnels under rivers—they flew in the air. With unbelievable tools they did giant works.... the pulse of the giant city, beating and beating like a man’s heart. Were they happy? What is happiness to the gods? They were great; they were mighty; they were wonderful and terrible. As I looked upon them and their magic, I felt like a child—but a little more, it seemed to me, and they would pull down the moon from the sky... and yet their wisdom could not but grow until all was peace.

• Sanctimonious (hypocritical and self-righteous)
• Critical (skeptical and unfavorable)
• Awestruck (amazed and frightened)
• Panicked (frenetic and unhappy)

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

How does the use of John as a first-person narrator help develop the tone?

• It enables the reader to view John objectively and without emotion.
• It enables the reader to better understand the Place of the Gods.
• It enables the reader to identify with John and view through his eyes.
• It enables the reader to view other characters in more detail.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

The Place of the Gods turns out to be the ruins of which city?

• Washington, D.C.
• Charlotte, NC
• Rome, Italy
• New York, NY

Which of the following represents a theme of the story?

• Information can heal entire populations and cities
• Knowledge can be dangerous
• Communities depend upon their leaders
• Each individual must make their own journey

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Which of the following facts best supports the theme of the text?

• John learns that the people of New York once had advanced technology and great wisdom, but their zeal for knowledge destroyed them.
• John felt a great sense of responsibility for his journey because he knew that his father expected him to become a wise priest.
• John's encounter with the dead man in the Place of the Gods made him realize how important his family really is.
• John is almost killed while crossing the river because he lacks experience.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

This story was published in 1937, just before World War II broke out. How is this historical context represented in the story?

• The story is rooted in the optimism of post-war victory, as evidenced by John's triumphant return as a man.
• The story is rooted in the fears of other people, as evidenced by John's constant fear of the Forest People.
• The story is rooted in the fears of advanced weaponry, as evidenced by the "gods" that destroyed their whole world.
• The story is rooted in the optimism of pre-war avoidance, as evidenced by John's decision to listen to his father and not go on a journey East.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.1