The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind Chapter 8

"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." (128)

Which best describes the meaning of the simile "it spread like grassfire" as it is used in the excerpt? (RI 6.4, L.6.5a)

• The sickness was occurring all over Malawi.

• The sickness was deadly.

• The sickness was occurring only in farmers.

• The sickness was moving quickly.

Which word or phrase from the excerpt best help the reader to understand the meaning of the simile “it spread like grassfire”? (RI.6.1)

• farmer visiting a funeral

• within days

• hundreds of people

• started in southern Malawi

Which of the following best describes a central idea in this chapter? (RI.6.2)

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

• William and his family suffered greatly when hunger and cholera struck their village, but the maize crop grew and thrived.

• William and his family struggled to survive when hunger and cholera struck their village, but many of their friends were thriving.

• William and his family suffered greatly when hunger and cholera struck their village, and many of their friends died.

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

• “Within days, hundreds of people were sick and twelve had died” (128) and “ . . . their eyes cloudy and skin wrinkled from dehydration” (129).

• “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).

• “ . . . how are you alive? What are you eating?” (131) and “ . . . men withered and died all around us, our plants were coming up fat . . . ” (133).

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

• Cause/Effect

• Problem/Solution

• Advantages/Disadvantages

• Compare/Contrast

Which of the following best describes the function of the sentence “THE DOWE IS READY!” (134) within the structure of chapter 8.

• This sentence reveals the cause of the difficulty William and his whole community were facing in the chapter.

• This sentence shows the excitement felt by William in comparison to how Geoffrey reacted to the news.

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

• This sentence marks the end the disadvantages and the beginning of the advantages of William’s situation.

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

• This sentence proves that William and his family had been suffering greatly when hunger and drought stuck their village. This sentence shows that the dowe, or maize, was able to grow and thrive, ending the famine. It explains how important the rains were to the village and country in order to help the maize grow more successfully.

• This sentence explains that William and his family struggled when their crops failed. While all others in their village were thriving, William's family suffered. This sentence proves William's excitement in knowing that his family will no longer suffer and they will once again be able to eat food and drink water the same way others in the village have been able to. It explains how important the dowe is to William, his family, and their farm.

• The part of the chapter before this sentence shows how badly William, his family, and their friends suffered during the famine and the drought. Many of Williams' friends died due to starvation and dehydration. This sentence helps the reader understand how important the maize is to William and what is left of his friends and family, as it shows they no longer have to see friends and family die from hunger.

• 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.

The writers use dialogue spoken by William in chapter 8. Reread all of William’s spoken words. Which of the following is something we can infer about William’s character from the things he says in the chapter? (RI.6.1, RI.6.3)

• He is sick and hopeless.

• He is pessimistic and sad.

• He is angry and resentful.

• He is optimistic and hopeful.

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).

What type of figurative language is being used in William's allusion to the Bible parable?

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Description

• Anecdote

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).

• William and seeds planted on the roadside

• William's family and seeds being stepped on by everyone walking past

• Malawians and seeds planted on fertile soil

• Malawians and seeds on the roadside being stepped on by everyone walking past