The War of the Worlds: Ch. 1: RL Standards

Read the excerpt below about Giovanni Schiaparelli. 

Giovanni Schiaparelli was an Italian scientist in the nineteenth century who studied Mars very closely through the telescope. He named what we know as seas and continents on the planet and published other works about what he observed. From some of his observations and through mistranslations of his work, some people began to hypothesize that there could be life on Mars.  (RL.7.9)

Which idea from the excerpt is also conveyed in the passage?

• the belief that people on Earth should have launched an attack missile before the Martians

• the belief that beings on Mars would be peaceful toward the people of Earth

• the belief that the information Earth was getting about Mars was not accurate

• the idea that Schiaparelli alone was responsible for the lack of preparation for the Martian invasion

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RL.7.9

"With unending complacency men went to and fro over this globe about their little affairs, assured of their own superiority over the world." (L.7.4)

Based on this sentence in paragraph 1, which connotation and meaning best describe the word complacency?

• Complancency has a positive connotation meaning safe and secure.

• Complacency has a negative connotation meaning forever changing and evolving.

• Complacency has a positive connotaion meaning humbleness and forgiving of others.

• Complacency has a negative connotation meaning unawareness and unchanging.

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L.7.4

The War of the Worlds radio adaptation was aired on October 30, 1938.

How does the setting effect the audience's reaction to the radio drama? (RL.7.3)

Enlarge the image for helpful information.

• The setting caused the audience listening at home to be more suspicious of their neighbors.

• The setting caused the audience listening at home to purchase telescopes and watch fot UFOs landing from outer space.

• The setting caused the audience listening at home to be more aware of anything that was strange or out-of-the-ordinary.

• The setting caused the audience listening at home to never believe radio broadcasts again.

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RL.7.3

Read the last sentence from paragraph 7.  

"Not realizing what lay ahead, life, at least for that moment, seemed so safe and peaceful to me."

What is the overall effect of this sentence? (RL.7.5)

• It creates suspense by foreshadowing that the Martians would become dangerous. 

• The understatement reinforces the idea that Martians are better mathematicians than the people of Earth.

• The imagery details the invasion plans that were being made by the Martians.

• The narrator emphasizes the lack of danger posed by the Martians by describing his own sense of security.

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RL.7.5

Which statement accurately contrasts the Martians' viewpoint versus mankind’s viewpoint? (RL.7.6)

• The Martians appreciate Earth for its snowfall, while mankind takes Earth’s climate for granted.

• The Martians are more scientifically advanced than mankind, while mankind believes they have no need to be worried.

• The Martians believe that planning to invade is not needed, but mankind understands how to plan their defense well.

• The Martians have misjudged Earth, but mankind has studied Mars and the Martians thoroughly.

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RL.7.6

Reread paragraph 6. What is the best meaning of the word petty as it is used in this paragraph? (L.7.4)

• trivial and meaningless

• necessary and important

• life-changing and immediate

• worry and longing

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L.7.4

How does the author use the setting to develop the plot? (RL.7.3)

• by explaining how Earth offered an environment identical to Mars   

• by presenting the story as a flashback to express confidence in man’s ability to understand threats from Martians

• by explaining how, at the time, humans were too consumed with their own lives to notice threats from other planets

• by setting the story on an isolated planet where no one understands alien life

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RL.7.3

A key idea the author conveys to the reader is that men are not necessarily superior to Martians. (RL.7.2)

Which statement supports this claim?

• The author describes the steps the people on Earth took to prepare for an invasion.

• The author describes how the Martians developed their plan without detection by the humans.

• The author provides the ways that the conditions on Mars are similar to the conditions on Earth.

• The author provides data contrasting the scientific successes of humans to the discoveries of the Martians.

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RL.7.2

Which excerpt from paragraph 1 supports the the author's claim that mankind is vain? (RL.7.1)

•  "...men went to and fro over this globe..."

• "... earthly men imagined there might be other men upon Mars..."

• "...inferior to themselves.

• " These beings slowly and surely drew their plans against us.

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RL.7.1

Which is the best theme statement for Chapter 1 of The War of the Worlds? (RL.7.2)

• One person can change the world.

• All people have needs - food, water, shelter.

• Our emotions often drive our decisions.

• People become consumed with their own lives.

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RL.7.2