The Open Boat

Read the following from paragraph 1

"These waves were of the hue of slate, save for the tops, which were of foaming white, and all of the men knew the colors of the sea."

The reader can infer from this line that characters-

• are happy to be on the open water

• have strong visual memories

• have all been to sea before

• are experienced fishermen

In paragraph 3, the word invariably means-

• constantly

• worriedly

• nervously

• resentfully

From paragraph 6, the reader can infer that the captain -

• had previously fought in a war

• has lost his mind

• is not respected by his crew

• is depressed over the loss of his ship

Read the following from paragraph 9.

"A seat in this boat was not unlike a sear upon a bucking bronco, and, by the same token, a bronco is not much smaller. The craft pranced and reared, and plunged like an animal. As each wave came, and she rose for it, she seemed like a horse making at a fence outrageously high.

The author uses figurative language in this paragraph to show-

• the characters are like cowboys

• the setting is dangerous

• the sailors' adventure is exciting

• the boat has a mind of its own

In paragraph 11 through 19, what role does the oiler play in the development of the story?

• He shares his knowledge about houses of refuge.

• He offers a pessimistic outlook.

• He acts as a realist and is concerned with the present.

• he tries to settle the argument between the others on the boat.

Which detail is emphasized more in the woodcut than it is in the story?

• The captain's mood

• The size of the boat

• The conditions at sea

• The relationship between the sailors