"The Flying Machine"- Ray Bradbury

Which group of words from paragraph 1 best helps the reader understand the meaning of the word dominion?

• Peace, happy, sad

• Throne, China, people

• Green, rain, harvest

• Year, neither, nor

Read the following dictionary entry for the word content:

• Agreeable with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else.

Based on this definition, which expression from paragraph 1 means content?

• “readying itself toward the harvest”

• “In the year A.D. 400”

• “held his throne”

• “neither too happy nor too sad”

According to information found in paragraphs 1 - 7, Emperor Yuan can best be described as

• Satisfied

• Anxious

• Unintelligent

• Annoyed

Emperor Yuan’s reaction to the servant’s news (paragraphs 9 - 15) suggests that

• The emperor was sleepy from his dream

• The servant did not do a good job of explaining himself

• The servant had probably lied to the emperor before

• The emperor did not think the news was noteworthy

In paragraph 17, the phrase, “[H]e was soaring all about like the largest bird in a universe of birds, like a new dragon in a land of ancient dragons” contains examples of what literary device?

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Personification

• Onomatopoeia

The details about the Great Wall of China in paragraph 20 are significant to the plot because

• They establish the role that the Great Wall has played in China’s history

• They discuss the beautiful architectural design of the Wall

• They suggest that the Wall, as it moves across the land, resembles a snake

• They suggest that the Wall is old but still in good condition

Which line from page 2 best supports the idea that the Emperor has become worried after seeing the flying man?

• “The Emperor looked into the sky.”

• “He saw the town, nestled to itself by a river and a road and a hill, beginning to waken.”

• “‘Tell me,’ he said to his servant, ‘has anyone seen this flying man?’”

• “The man called down to them from high in the cool winds of morning.”

Which of the following definitions of the word apparatus best matches the meaning of this word as used in paragraphs 30 and 57?

• a collection of notes, readings, and other matter accompanying a printed text

• the technical equipment or machinery needed for a particular activity or purpose

• the machinery of government

• the organization of a political party or an underground movement

The emperor’s response, “‘Well for her, then,’” (paragraph 38) when told that the flying man’s wife does not know about the machine, suggests that…

• The Emperor will have her imprisoned

• The Emperor will leave her alone

• The Emperor will have her killed

• The Emperor will make her his servant

The most likely reason for the executioner wearing a “serene white mask” is

• To follow a law made by the Emperor

• Because the servant told him to wear it

• So that his (the executioner’s) identity remains hidden

• Because all executioners wear masks