The Cave of Eternal Night

Read the sentence from paragraph 6.

"Chloe gasped at the scene: giant stalactites cascaded from the top of the cave and ended in needle-sharp points, seeming to reach desperately for their stalagmite counterparts below."

What is the meaning of counterparts as it is used in this sentence?

• rock formations with sharp edges

• things that complete each other

• fast-moving objects

• shallow bodies of water

Read the excerpt from paragraph 2.

"The Cave of Eternal Night, as Nicholas named it, awaited. That is what he had called the rocky passage before them ever since reading a threatening line from Shakespeare’s Richard III in English class: “Bid him bring his power / Before sunrising, lest his son George fall / Into the blind cave of eternal night.”

How does the setting develop Nicholas' character?

• By naming the cave, Nicholas reveals his desire to be a famous adventurer.

• By being famously mysterious, the cave reveals Nicholas loves adventures.

• By reminding him of literature, the cave reveals Nicholas’ love of books about adventures.

• By scaring him, the cave reveals Nicholas might be a better student than an adventurer.

How are the themes “combining individual strengths can make a strong team” and “being cautious can be both helpful and damaging” related in this story? Select two correct statements.

• Nicholas is a careful planner and is cautious, while Chloe is a confident adventurer but sometimes reckless.

• Chloe’s confidence stops Nicholas from enjoying the Cave of Eternal Night because they move too quickly.

• Nicholas’s naming of the cave inspired by Shakespare makes it feel more risky and exciting for Chloe.

• Chloe is ready with her spells so unexpected challenges can always be overcome even when Nicholas is scared.

• Nicholas’s cautiousness results in unnecessary nervousness, but Chole is able to present a solution that allows them to move forward.

Read this sentence from paragraph 6.

"An irregular dripping sound—Plop . . . plip-plop . . . plop—echoed in a space brought alive by water."

How does the author’s use of onomatopoeia contribute to the meaning of the sentence?

• It adds a calm and meditative tone to the meaning of the sentence.

• It adds a stressful and threatening tone to the meaning of the sentence.

• It adds specificity to the sensory experience of being in the cave.

• It adds humor to the sensory experience of being in the cave.

How do events in the plot develop Nicholas’ character?

• As they enter the cave, Nicholas reveals that he is a strong team player because he helps Chloe prepare her equipment.

• After hearing an unidentified sound, Nicholas reveals that he is nervous and quick to assume there is significant danger ahead.

• After hearing an unidentified sound, Nicholas reveals he is a natural leader by asking Chloe to use her skills to find out if there is any danger ahead.

• After determining there is no danger ahead, Nicholas reveals that he is easily irritated by his friends when they do not take him seriously.

Which quotation from the text supports the answer in Question 5?

• “The adventurers pulled on their backpacks, turned on their headlamps, and entered the cave.” (paragraph 6)

• “The dust flew swiftly into the middle opening, causing Chloe to declare, ‘That one is the least dangerous.’” (paragraph 8)

• “Nicholas screamed as he dropped to the ground, curled into a ball, and crossed his arms over his face.” (paragraph 9)

• “‘Nicholas, that must have been bats leaving the cave to hunt,’ pointed out an unfazed Chloe as she extended a hand to help him get up.” (paragraph 10)

Read paragraph 2.

"The Cave of Eternal Night, as Nicholas named it, awaited. That is what he had called the rocky passage before them ever since reading a threatening line from Shakespeare’s Richard III in English class: “Bid him bring his power / Before sunrising, lest his son George fall / Into the blind cave of eternal night.” It just felt appropriately gloomy and epic."

How does the author’s use of allusion contribute to the meaning of the passage?

• The allusion to a Shakespearean tragedy suggests that this story’s ending will not have a positive outcome.

• The allusion to a Shakespearean play reveals that Nicholas is an aspiring actor who is unlikely to be an experienced explorer.

• The allusion to English class reveals that Nicholas is too young to be exploring caves unsupervised.

• The allusion to this line in Richard III suggests that Nicholas views the cave as a place of adventure, but also of great danger.