"The Lagoon"

Which of the following best describes the relationship between the white man and Arsat in “The Lagoon”?

• They are strangers who meet because the white man needs a place to rest

  after his long boat journey.

• They are distrustful of each other, but they stay connected because of the

  war they experienced together.

• They are close friends who have an equal relationship in spite of the fact

  that they are of different races.

• They are friends who fought on the same side in a war, but in the white man’s mind, they are not equals.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

In “The Lagoon,” why does Arsat live in an isolated hut in a forest on a remote island?

• Arsat lives in the hut in order to provide a resting place for travelers, such

  as the white man, on the river.

• Arsat is hiding with Diamelen from the Rajah’s men, who would kill

  them for defying the Rajah’s wife.

• Arsat is hiding because he is guilty of his brother’s murder and can no

  longer face his family.

• Arsat lives in a remote place so that Diamelen can never leave him and

  return to her home.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

In “The Lagoon,” Arsat tells the white man the story of his brother’s death. Why does the brother’s death fill Arsat with guilt and shame?

• Arsat allowed himself to be persuaded by Diamelen not to answer his

  brother’s cries for help.

• Arsat fought to rescue his brother, but he failed to keep his brother from

  being killed by the Rajah’s men.

• In order to escape with Diamelen, Arsat ignored his brother’s cries for

  help, and his brother died.

• Arsat stole Diamelen from his brother and was forced to kill his brother

  when he pursued them into the jungle.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

What is the meaning of enticed in the following sentence from “The Lagoon”?

For the last three miles of its course the wandering, hesitating river, as if enticed irresistibly by the freedom of an open horizon, flows straight into the sea, flows straight to the east—to the east that harbors both light and darkness.

• attracted by something

• confused by too many choices

• wandering without purpose

• fearing the unknown

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

Read the following sentence from “The Lagoon.” Then answer the question about the underlined word.

In that fleeting and powerful disturbance of his being the earth enfolded in the starlight peace became a shadowy country of inhuman strife, a battlefield of phantoms terrible and charming, august or ignoble, struggling ardently for the possession of our helpless hearts.

If a person is described as august, which of the following must be true?

• The person pretends to be an aristocrat.

• The person is selfish and untrustworthy.

• The person was born in the month of August.

• The person is respected for impressive qualities.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

What is the most likely meaning of conflagration in this sentence from “The Lagoon”?

The white man came out of the hut in time to see the enormous conflagration of sunset put out by the swift and stealthy shadows that, rising like a black and impalpable vapor above the treetops, spread over the heaven, extinguishing the crimson glow of floating clouds and the red brilliance of departing daylight.

• flag

• blaze

• beauty

• portrait

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

What do the following sentences from “The Lagoon” reveal about Arsat’s character? Choose two options.

“I had her there! I had her! To get her I would have faced all mankind. But I had her—and—.... Tuan, I loved my brother.... What did I care who died? I wanted peace in my own heart.”

• He has no remorse for any of his past actions.

• He is a weak man who can be manipulated by a strong woman.

• He can selfishly put his own needs ahead of someone else’s life.

• He is torn between his passion for Diamelen and his love for his brother.

• He is a cold, heartless killer who does not care about hurting others.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

Which of the following ideas is impressed most strongly upon readers as “The Lagoon” ends?

• Revenge is justified when a loved one has been hurt.

• True love is worth any price one may have to pay for it.

• Passion promises fulfillment but opens the way to tragedy and loss.

• Loyalty to one’s family is more important than one’s personal desires.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Which statement best explains why the detailed descriptions of nature are an important element in “The Lagoon”?

• They help establish the setting of the story.

• They reveal several multiple meanings of the story.

• They show why the characters choose to live in the islands.

• They reveal how the islands have changed since the nineteenth century.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5