Fahrenheit 451 Introduction Questions

Diction: In his introduction, Neil Gaiman frequently refers to Fahrenheit 451 as a "book about books." Why does he use this phrase? 

• To argue that Fahrenheit 451 is primarily concerned with the literary techniques used by authors

• To explain that the novel highlights the importance of protecting knowledge and literature.

• To suggest that Ray Bradbury wrote the novel as a satire of book collectors.

• To imply that Fahrenheit 451 is meant to teach readers how to write better books.

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Diction: In the introduction, Gaiman uses the phrase “shadowy things that lurk in the corners of our mind” to describe the fears addressed in Fahrenheit 451. How does this phrase contribute to the tone of the introduction?

• It creates a sense of mystery and suspense

• It suggests optimism about the future

• It emphasizes the scientific nature of the novel

• It provides a neutral, factual description of the book’s content

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Diction: Which of the following words or phrases from Gaiman’s introduction best reveals his admiration for Ray Bradbury’s work?

• "Dystopian"

• "Visionary"

• "Frustrating"

• "Terrifying"

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Syntax: How does Gaiman use sentence structure to emphasize the importance of Fahrenheit 451 in modern times?

 

• He uses long, complex sentences to create a formal and distant tone.

• He relies mostly on short, abrupt sentences to keep the reader's attention focused on a single idea.

• He alternates between short, impactful sentences and longer, reflective sentences to highlight different aspects of the novel.

• He uses repeated sentence structures to emphasize his personal experiences with the novel.

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Syntax: 

Consider the following sentence from Gaiman’s introduction: 

“It’s a story about the importance of books, and the people who are willing to die for them, but also about those who want to burn them, and those who don’t care.” 

What effect does the parallel structure of this sentence have?

• It makes the sentence harder to understand and follow.

• It highlights only the negative aspects of Fahrenheit 451.

• It creates a lighthearted tone about the topic of censorship.

• It contrasts the people who value books with those who do not.

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Diction: Which of the following best describes the tone of Gaiman’s introduction to Fahrenheit 451?

• Lighthearted and humorous

• Cynical and skeptical

• Reflective and respectful

• Angry and confrontational

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Author's Purpose: Why does Gaiman emphasize the relevance of Fahrenheit 451 in a world filled with new technology and constant distractions?

• To remind readers that Fahrenheit 451 is not just about censorship but also about the consequences of losing focus on what matters.

• To suggest that the novel’s warnings about censorship are outdated in a digital world.

• To warn readers that technology will soon make books irrelevant.

• To show that the dangers of censorship are less important today than they were in the past.

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Author's Purpose: What is the primary purpose of Neil Gaiman's introduction to Fahrenheit 451?

 

• To criticize modern society for its disregard of classic literature.

• To persuade readers that Ray Bradbury was ahead of his time in predicting the future.

• To emphasize the relevance of Fahrenheit 451 in both past and present contexts.

• To provide a biography of Ray Bradbury’s personal life and writing career.

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Audience: Which group is most likely the author’s intended audience?

• Skeptical people who are unsure about reading the novel.

• Scholarly people who treasure the joy that comes from bringing science fiction to life.

• Curious people who want to learn more about the novel and its background.

• Nostalgic audiences who want to remember what life was like in the 1950s.

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1. Read the following excerpt from page 10: 

He went to UCLA’s Powell Library. In the basement were typewriters you could rent by the hour, by putting coins into a box on the side of the typewriter. Ray Bradbury put his money into the box and typed his story. When inspiration flagged, when he needed a boost, when he wanted to stretch his legs, he would walk through the library and look at the books. 

And then his story was done. 

 

How does the author’s choice of words contribute to the tone of the excerpt? 

• Phrases such as “put his money” and “his story was done” contribute to an admiring tone.

• Phrases such as “rent by the hour” and “put his money” contribute to a desperate tone.

• Phrases such as “inspiration flagged” and “his story was done” contribute to a cautionary tone.

• Phrases such as “walk through the library” and “look at the books” contribute to a romantic tone.

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