Part A and Part B Reading Questions

Which sentence from paragraph 2 best explains why the character is frustrated with his situation?

• A. “He was angry and cursed his luck aloud.”

• B. “He had hoped to get into camp with the boys at six o'clock, and this would delay him an hour, for he would have to build a fire and dry out his foot-gear.”

• C. “This was imperative at that low temperature -- he knew that much; and he turned aside to the bank, which he climbed.”

• D. “He threw down several large pieces on top of the snow.”

Choose two statements that foreshadow the collapse of the snow on the fire the character builds.

• A. “He wet himself halfway to the knees before he floundered out to the firm crust.” (paragraph 1)

• B. “Lifeless they were, for he could scarcely make them move together to grip a twig….” (paragraph 5)

• C. “He worked slowly and carefully, keenly aware of his danger.” (paragraph 3)

• D. “But the circulation of wet and freezing feet cannot be restored by running when it is seventy-five below.” (paragraph 3)

The following question has two parts.

Answer Part A and then answer Part B.

Part A: Read the following sentence from paragraph 2.

This was imperative at that low temperature – he knew that much; and he turned aside to the bank, which he climbed.

What does the word imperative mean as it is used in this sentence?

• A. obvious

• B. desired

• C. crucial

• D. expected

Part B: How does this word most strongly impact the meaning and tone of the excerpt?

• A. The word supports a purposeful tone by explaining that the task is necessary.

• B. The word supports a passive tone by describing the actions of the character as patient.

• C. The word supports a fearful tone by describing the emotions of the character as he hurries to save himself.

• D. The word supports a casual tone by emphasizing the unconcerned attitude of the character.

Read the following sentence from paragraph 4.

To build the fire he had been forced to remove his mittens, and the fingers had quickly gone numb.

How does this incident impact the plot of the story?

• A. The man’s action reveals that he is unaware of the dangers facing him on his journey.

• B. The man’s action reveals that the temperatures are dropping quickly in the area and he needs to move quickly.

• C. The numbness in the man’s fingers emphasizes how important it is that he successfully build the fire.

• D. The numbness in the man’s fingers hints that he may be unsuccessful in building the fire he needs to save himself.

Read the following sentences from paragraph

The blood of his body recoiled before it. The blood was alive, like the dog, and like the dog it wanted to hide away and cover itself up from the fearful cold.

How does the author use figurative language in these sentences to impact the meaning of the passage?

• A. He uses personification to illustrate the severity of the climate

• B. He uses hyperbole to describe how the cold temperatures impact the man’s ability to think clearly.

• C. He uses a metaphor to compare the man to the dog to show how much they both dislike the cold.

• D. He uses alliteration to draw attention to the man’s health.

This item has two parts.

First answer Part A and then answer Part B.

Part A: How does paragraph 5 help develop a theme of the passage?

• A. It shows that the character feels excessive pride in himself.

• B. It explains how the character overcame the extreme conditions despite the warnings of the old-timer.

• C. It details the precautions the man took to prepare for emergency situations.

• D. It illustrates the conditions the man is facing that is preventing him from moving forward on his journey.

Part B: How does paragraph 8 help develop the same theme of the passage?

• A. It describes how the character continues to feel confident in his strength.

• B. It illustrates the results of the satisfaction the character felt earlier in the passage.

• C. It reveals the effects of the fire being extinguished by the collapse of the snow.

• D. It explains the character’s emotions when he realizes what he must do to survive.

This item has two parts.

First answer Part A and then answer Part B.

Part A: Read the following sentence from paragraph 5.

All a man had to do was to keep his head, and he was all right. In this sentence, what does the phrase “keep his head” mean?

• A. stay alert

• B. protect from the cold

• C. remember advice

• D. remain calm

Part B: Which sentence from the passage provides the best clue for the meaning of the phrase “keep his head”?

• A. “Toes and nose and cheeks would be only touched by the frost, for the fire was beginning to burn with strength.”

• B. “The old-timer had been very serious in laying down the law that no man must travel alone in the Klondike after fifty below.”

• C. “Well, here he was; he had had the accident; he was alone; and he had saved himself.”

• D. “The wires were pretty well down between him and his finger-ends.”