Dark They Were and Golden Eyed

Comprehension

What is Harry Bittering’s main emotion in the first half of “Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed”?

• He is curious about the fate of the Martians.

• He is angry at his wife for wanting to stay on Mars.

• He is afraid of being changed by the Martian environment.

• He is annoyed by the other Earth people in the town on Mars.

Which sentence from the beginning of the story foreshadows what will actually happen?

• "They looked at Martian hills that time had worn with a crushing pressure of years."

• "He felt submerged in a chemical that could dissolve his intellect and burn away his past."

• "Why, in ten years there'll be a million Earthmen on Mars. Big cities, everything!"

• "And I wonder if those Martians mind us living here?"

Which event in “Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed” is most important in preventing the family’s return to Earth?

• The family is happy living on a farm in the new settlement.

• The return ticket to Earth costs more than the family has.

• A rocket that Harry builds does not function.

• An atomic world war breaks out on Earth.

In “Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed,” what is Mr. Bittering’s first clue that his world is changing?

• His children want to adopt Martian names.

• His peach tree sheds strange new blossoms.

• His wife’s and his children’s eyes turn a golden color.

• His neighbors calmly accept all the changes around them.

"'You know they have! Onions but not onions, carrots but not carrots. Taste: the same but different. Smell: not like it used to be.' He felt his heart pounding and he was afraid." Why did the author write this passage?

• to show the unique qualities of the vegetables

• to explain how the family started a garden.

• to foreshadow the changes that will occur to the family.

• to describe the benefits of having a garden.

In “Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed,” what does Mr. Bittering do to cope with his fears about living on Mars? Choose two options.

• He investigates Martian ruins to understand them better

• He tries to build a rocket to take his family back to Earth

• He persuades his wife and family to return with him to Earth.

• He spends time with other settlers, who talk him out of his fear.

• He concentrates on his work on their small farm and other chores.

Harry got little assistance from others in building a rocket because

• No one else cared about returning to Earth

• He was the only person who knew how to build one

• Everyone else thought a rocket would arrive soon

• He was really cranky and no one liked him

Which sentence best describes the Bittering family members at the conclusion of “Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed”?

• They are completely changed into Martians and have no memory of their past selves.

• They are resigned to living on Mars but are unhappy with their lives there.

• They are different physically but still think and act like Earth people.

• They are eager to return to Earth now that the atomic war is over.

Concept Vocabulary

If a road can correctly be described as submerged in water, which of the following must be true? Base your answer on the meaning of submerged.

• The road is impossible to navigate.

• The area has experienced a long drought.

• The location of the road is high in the mountains.

• The road needs extensive work by the highway department.

What is the most accurate meaning of atmosphere in this sentence?

The atmosphere of the Earth consists of 78 percent nitrogen, 21 percent oxygen, and 1 percent other gases.

• space

• chemistry

• cloud cover

• surrounding air