Unit 2: First Love

In context, the phrase "Whatever happened" at the beginning of the passage most likely serves to?
A. establish that the narrator is not omniscient
B. introduce the idea that the truth can never be fully known
C. spark the reader's interest in learning what will follow
D. signal to the reader that the story will be in the mystery genre -

C. spark the reader's interest in learning what will follow

In the final paragraph, the sentence "The red percussion of their fires could be seen night and day by those waiting in the dark trance of the frozen town" serves to highlight contrasts between all of the following EXCEPT?
A. the sound of the fires and the silence of the town
B. the brightness of the fires and the darkness of the night
C. the warmth of the fires and the frigidness of the air
D. the vulnerability of wildlife and the resilience of humans -

D. the vulnerability of wildlife and the resilience of humans

In the second sentence of the second paragraph, the phrase "bundles of sticks" primarily suggests which of the following about the passengers?
A. They are resistant.
B. They are insignificant.
C. They are slender.
D. They are still. -

D. They are still.

In the first sentence, the phrase "a season of dreams" establishes a metaphorical pattern for the passage by
A. evoking a sense of disorientation
B. suggesting the hopes of the settlers
C. foreshadowing later images of spring
D. conveying the austere beauty of winter -

A. evoking a sense of disorientation

The simile in the first sentence of the second paragraph ("The Mississippi . . . waves") evokes a sense of?
A. malevolent intent
B. blind movement
C. undisturbed force
D. slight intrusion -

B. blind movement

In context, the simile in the final sentence of the passage ("Bands . . . grass") is best understood to emphasize the travelers'
A. desperation to escape
B. ultimately futile movements
C. insignificance in the landscape
D. lack of control over their progress -

C. insignificance in the landscape