How a Muzhik Fed Two Officials

Why does the author include the quote “With assurances of the highest esteem, I am your humble servant” in paragraph 2?

• to emphasize the theme, because the men serve one another food while on the island

• to establish the setting, because the men have to work as servants for a certain amount of time

• to highlight the characters, because each man desires to help the other get back home

• to create irony, because the men are unable to do any physical labor to survive

Based on paragraphs 4–9, what causes the Officials to realize the events are not a dream?

• They do not wake up early.

• Their department is no longer open.

• Their hunger is very extreme and painful.

• They are experiencing the same things together.

What can be inferred from the fact that both Officials returned “with empty hands” in paragraphs 16–21?

• They did not have the necessary skills to obtain anything to eat.

• The wild animals and fruit they saw were imaginary.

• They did not want to share a meal with each other.

• They were unable to locate any food.

What does pabulum mean in the sentences below from paragraphs 23 and 24?

“The human pabulum in its original form flies, swims, and grows on trees. Who would have thought it your Excellency?” said the one Official.

“To be sure,” rejoined the other Official. “I, too, must admit that I had imagined that our breakfast rolls came into the world just as they appear on the table.”

• body

• food

• enemy

• medicine

What can be inferred from the last sentence of paragraph 45 in the text?

• The Officials are bewildered and in a dream-like state.

• The island where the Officials are located is close to Moscow.

• The island had previously been inhabited by another group of Officials.

• The Officials are still preoccupied with activities happening in the government.

How does referring to the men as “Officials” and “Your Excellency” develop the theme of the text?

• It provides a description of the two men that is comical since neither still works in the Government Department.

• It reveals that the two men are greatly respected by their former coworkers at the Government Department.

• It shows how the two men are wealthy even though they have retired from their jobs at the Government Department.

• It gives an explanation for why the two men left their jobs at the Government Department because both are secretly royalty.

How does the text reflect the author’s cultural experience?

• It draws attention to the problem of world hunger.

• It encourages people to retire from service as soon as possible.

• It mocks people who are too attached to their government jobs.

• It gives the impression that the government will take care of everything.

In what way does the interaction between the two Officials develop the theme of the text?

• It illustrates the ways in which bureaucracy fails the people of a country.

• It offers a commentary on the nature of people in society who fail to advance through education and training.

• It shows the ways in which accomplished men can lack basic knowledge about how the world around them functions.

• It highlights the differences in the approach to government in the modern world versus more traditional governments.