Quiz on Literary Analysis

In paragraph 4, why does the author use the figurative phrase “the eyes that peered out into the universe” to describe the telescopes?

• To suggest that telescopes are used to locate and watch over distant objects in space

• To indicate that telescopes are used for watching certain people

• To show that telescopes are delicate objects that need a lot of care and attention

• To explain that telescopes should be used only by professional scientists

Which sentence from the story best describes Catalina’s main conflict?

• While the visitors were there, Papá could not allow her to help. (paragraph 2)

• No one believed she would be a scientist one day. (paragraph 7)

• Catalina balanced on the balls of her feet. (paragraph 16)

• Catalina’s eyes lifted to the clock drive lit by a blinking yellow light. (paragraph 18)

The author includes the imagery in paragraph 1 most likely to highlight Catalina’s —

• loneliness in her mountain home

• desire to spend time outside

• appreciation of the nighttime

• questions about the night sky

The story’s third-person point of view helps the reader —

• identify what the astronomer in the dome feels

• appreciate why the tourists enjoy visiting the observatory

• understand why Catalina wants to spend time at the observatory

• relate to the relationship between Catalina and her father

How does Catalina’s observation of the telescope in paragraph 8 advance the plot of the story?

• It allows Catalina to express her feelings about scientific discovery.

• It leads Catalina to identify a problem that she will resolve.

• It hints that Catalina’s actions will cause the main conflict.

• It suggests that Catalina is unfamiliar with the observatory.

Read these sentences from paragraph 6. What is the most likely reason the author includes figurative language in these sentences?

• To show that Catalina needs to use the telescope to see the sky clearly

• To emphasize that Catalina knows the best time to study the stars

• To emphasize that Catalina pays careful attention to the details of the stars

• To show that Catalina does not understand what she sees in the night sky

Why is Catalina’s experience with the injured scientist important to the plot?

• The experience helps explain why Catalina is only allowed to help her father at certain times.

• The experience shows that Catalina thinks she knows more about telescopes than the scientists.

• The experience tells details about how Catalina’s father taught her about telescopes.

• The experience reveals a trait of Catalina’s that will help her become a successful scientist.

Create an original simile to describe something very cold.

• It's as cold as ice.

• It's a chilly day.

• The coldness is like winter.

• It's freezing cold.

Identify the metaphor in the following sentence: "Life is a highway that we travel on."

• Life is a highway

• that we travel

• on

• Life is

Identify the simile in the following sentence: "Her eyes shone like stars in the night sky."

• Her eyes shone

• stars

• in the night sky

• like stars in the night sky