ACT Reading Joseph's Conrad's The Heart of Darkness

The narrator’s point of view is that of:

• an omniscient observer.

• a member of the ship’s crew.

• another ship’s captain

• a person watching from shore.

Tags

CCSS.SL.9-10.3

It can reasonably be inferred from the passage that the

crew most likely did not play dominoes because:

• they were simply too tired.

• they did not get along well enough to play a game

  together.

• the Director would not have approved of gameplaying.

• the sea was too rough.

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CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

Which of the following are explanations given by the

narrator as to why the Lawyer used the ship’s only

cushion?

I. He was very old.

II. He would not allow anyone else to use it.

III. He was greatly respected by the ship’s crew.

• I and II only

• I only

• I and III only

• II only

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CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

As it is used in line 32 of the passage, the word placid

most nearly means:

• calm

• straightforward

• nervous

• playful

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CCSS.L.9-10.4

CCSS.L.9-10.4A

CCSS.L.9-10.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

According to the passage, how was Marlow unlike

typical seamen?

• Marlow was content to stay in one place, while most

  men of the sea prefer to roam and explore.

• Marlow believed his home was the ship, while most

  sailors believed their home was the sea.

• Marlow found the sea inexplicable and full of

  secrets, while a typical sailor understands the mysteries

  of the water.

• Marlow wove complicated and ambiguous tales,

  while most seamen prefer to tell simple and clear

  tales.

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CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

It can be reasonably inferred from the passage that

Marlow is about to tell a story:

• that explains why he is now a freshwater sailor.

• that is short and funny, like most of the stories he

  tells.

• that had a profound effect on him.

• about a man that he saved from drowning in a river.

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CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

According to the passage, how did the men aboard the

Nellie feel about the Director?

• They respected and trusted him.

• They felt that he was lazy.

• They despised and rejected him.

• They thought that he was gloomy.

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CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.W.9-10.9

The reaction of the narrator to Marlow’s story can be

most accurately described as:

• malicious annoyance.

• resigned tolerance.

• genuine interest.

• sincere appreciation.

According to the passage, which of the following was

not an effect of the “bond of the sea” (line 15)?

• It allowed the men to look past each other’s criminal

  backgrounds.

• The men did not mind listening to each other’s

  meandering tales.

• It eased the loneliness of extended periods of time

  away from each other.

• The men were able to be more tolerant of each

  other’s beliefs.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.RI.9-10.3

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

The main point of the second paragraph is:

• The ship’s captain is better suited to be an aviator

  than a sailor.

• The captain is unaware of the great amount of hard

  work that lies ahead of him.

• An unqualified and inexperienced businessman is

  serving as the captain of the Nellie

• The narrator and other crew members greatly

  respect their ship’s captain.

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CCSS.RI.9-10.2