Santa Anna

Didion’s second sentence states that the Santa Ana blows “up sand storms along route 66, drying the hills and the nerves to flash point.” In this excerpt, what does she mean by “drying the nerves to flash point”?

• The winds make people dehydrated
• The winds are a symbol of climate change
• The winds can drive people beyond what may be considered “sane behavior”
• The winds signal a natural disaster

In her eighth sentence, Didion states she would “rekindle a waning argument with the telephone company...” In this excerpt, what does she mean by “rekindle”?

• Revisit the argument and its negative emotions
• Call her mother to complain about the telephone company
• Think kindly on the argument
• Reflect on the argument and consider apologizing

In her second paragraph, Didion states that “The Pacific turned ominously glossy during a Santa Ana…”. In this excerpt, what does she mean by “ominously”?

• The waters of the Pacific look like black glass
• The waters of the Pacific look threatening and gloomy
• The waters of the Pacific have a strong tide
• The waters of the Pacific are safe for seafaring

Didion applies the verb “whining” to the Santa Ana winds in the second sentence.This is a form of:

• Simile
• Imagery
• Hyperbole
• Personification 

In the second paragraph, Didion states that “the Pacific turned ominously glossy during a Santa Ana period, and one woke in the night troubled not only by the peacocks screaming in the olive trees but by the eerie absence of surf. The heat was surreal. The sky had a yellow cast...” This is a form of:

• Personification
• Simile
• Imagery/sensory detail
• Metaphor

What is the overall tone of this excerpt from “The Santa Ana Winds”

• Didion is in awe of the winds’ power on human behavior
• Didion is apathetic toward the winds
• Didion feels the winds are a beautiful natural event
• Didion is disgusted with the weather

What is the overall mood of this excerpt from “The Santa Ana Winds”?

• light, sarcastic, satirical
• nervous, anxious, ominous
• eager, excited, anticipating
• dreamlike, fantastical, magical