“Our Beautiful Town Is Gone." Non-fiction Quiz

1. How does the section “Bustling Town” contribute to the article?

• 1. It explains where Paradise is located.

• 1. B  It introduces the people the article focuses on.

• 1. It illustrates America’s obsession with gold.

• 1.  It helps readers understand what Paradise was like before the fire and what was lost.

1. According to the article, wildfires are ________. (Choose TWO answers.)
   

• 1. often beneficial to the environment
     

• 1. abnormal events

• 0. intensifying because of climate change

• 0. less damaging than they once were

1. Author Lauren Tarshis explains that on the morning of November 8 few people in Paradise were concerned when they first noticed smoke. Which line helps explain why?

• 0. “Fire deposits nutrients in the soil, which helps new plants grow.” (p. 7.)

• 2.  “The weather in California and around the world has been getting hotter and less predictable.” (p. 7)

• 2. “Wildfires have always been a fact of life in California.” (p. 7)

• 2. “Over the decades, Paradise grew into a large, bustling town.” (p. 6)

On page 8, Tarshis writes, “Like flaming birds, they flew across the river, igniting more fires wherever they landed.” This line contains

• On page 8, Tarshis writes, “Like flaming birds, they flew across the river, igniting more fires wherever they landed.” This line contains
  

• hyperbole that emphasizes the fire’s high

  temperature.
  

• a metaphor that shows the number of fires that

  were burning in and around Paradise.
  

• a simile that helps readers understand how

  hard firefighters were working.

Later on page 8, Tarshis quotes Kevin McKay, who says, “I thought to myself, ‘This could be it.’” This quote helps readers understand that Kevin

• was confident the bus would make it to Chico.

• was unsure whether the main fire had reached

  the town limits yet.
  

• thought the fire would soon be under control.

• worried that they might not make it out alive.

Tarshis most likely wrote this article to ________. (Choose TWO answers.)

• 1. detail the history of the U.S. Forest Service

• 1. inspire readers with a story of a community’s

     strength and courage in the face of disaster

• 1. help readers better understand wildfires

• 1. tell the story of the American West