The Smell of Rain

What is the main reason Amanda is skeptical about the narrator's ability to smell rain coming?

• She believes the narrator is imagining it.

• She thinks the narrator is observing signs rather than smelling.

• She has never experienced rain in the desert.

• She thinks animals are the only ones who can sense rain.

What observation did the narrator make about insects before a rainstorm?

• Insects fly higher in the sky.

• Insects gather around water and hide under leaves.

• Insects become inactive and hide underground.

• Insects swarm around humans.

What did the narrator learn about the smell of cut hay before a rainstorm?

• It becomes less noticeable.

• It gives off a potent aroma.

• It smells like creosote bushes.

• It smells like roofing tar.

What explanation did Bill, the ranch wrangler, provide about the smell of rain?

• It is caused by the scent of wet soil.

• It is the smell of creosote bushes when rain-soaked.

• It is the smell of animals seeking shelter.

• It is the smell of juniper berries swelling.

How do animals behave before a storm according to the narrator?

• They become more active and noisy.

• They seek shelter and act nervously.

• They gather around water sources.

• They fly higher to avoid the rain.

What did Amanda conclude about the narrator's ability to predict rain?

• The narrator relies on animal behavior and plant changes.

• The narrator has a special sense for smelling rain.

• The narrator uses scientific tools to predict rain.

• The narrator imagines the signs of rain.

What causes plants to give off strong smells before a rainstorm?

• The increase in humidity.

• The presence of insects.

• The movement of animals.

• The growth of berries.

Which sentence best describes the theme of the short story?

• 1. Paying attention to your senses may help explain nature's behavior.

• 1. It's impossible for humans to fully understand nature.

• 1. Some people are more in touch with nature than others.

• 1. Animals are better connected with nature than humans.

Which detail from the text best supports the answer to Question 1?

Question 1: Which sentence best describes the theme of the short story?

• 1. "But before I saw or felt any of those signs, I could smell the rain coming. No wonder Amanda was so skeptical." (Paragraph 6)

• 1. "I had noticed that insects flew in low and gathered in huge numbers around (or on) the water well before a rain." (Paragraph 10)

• 1. "We had discovered that there are aromas, changes in the air, and changes in what animals do, before a storm." (Paragraph 25)

• 1. "I wanted her to stay forever. 'I'll try at home, to smell rain on the way,' she said, maybe to console me before leaving." (Paragraph 24)

How does Amanda react when the narrator tells her that she can smell rain?

• 1. She does not believe that her cousin can smell rain before it starts.

• 1. She is jealous that her cousin can smell rain and she can't.

• 1. She is excited by the idea that her cousin can smell rain.

• 1. She is suspicious that her cousin is lying about being able to smell rain.