Reading Comprehension
1. What is Harry Bittering’s main emotion in the first half of “Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed”?
He is afraid of being changed by the Martian environment.
#8: 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
Air
#17 The man felt ….the tissues of his body draw tight as if he were standing at the center of a vacuum.
#13 What is the attitude of the lieutenant at the end?
He likes the Martians and believes they are peaceful.
#27 Which underlined term in the following sentence is in the superlative degree?
Scientists recently discovered that Mars, in the past, had the most important elements for supporting life, including a thicker atmosphere than it has now and more water.
#3 Which event in “Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed” is most important in preventing the family’s return to Earth?
An atomic world war breaks out on Earth.
#25 Write 5 synonyms for destroy
Demolish, ruin, shatter, wreck, devastate
#18 A river of wind submerged the house
#14 How do you know #13? Give the quote.
“Dark people, Yellow eyes, Martians, Very friendly….I’m sure our relationsw ill be most friendly with them sir.”
#28 Complete the following is a comparative adverb that best completes this sentence?
The rover Curiosity is discovering facts about Mars ________ than scientists expected
more quickly
#4: In “Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed,” what is Mr. Bittering’s first clue that his world is changing?
His peach tree sheds strange new blossoms.
#9 Write a sentence that illustrates the term forlorn.
An abandoned dog is sitting forlorn in the rain.
#21 This was the moment Mars had waited for.
Personification
#12 The Bitterings’ transformation shows how deeply the environment can affect and change those within it. What is a theme from the story based on this statement?
Though people often fear and resist it, change is unavoidable.
#30 How do the two versions (story & radio) differ in showing Harry’s character?
The story text’s narration directly reveals Harry’s thoughts and feelings which must be inferred through his dialogue in the radio play.
#6 How is the Bittering family described by the story’s end?
They are completely changed into Martians and have no memory of their past selves.
#26 Write a sentence that explains the difference in nuance between scary and terrifying.
My brother likes roller coasters, but I find them quite scary.
Terrifying suggests a much more powerful feeling of fear.
Question #22 Rubber tires upon which children had swung in back yards hung suspended like stopped clock pendulums in the blazing air.
#10 What might the wind on Mars represent?
The power of the environment to completely change the Earth people.
#31 What are the most significant differences between the story and radio version?
1. Children play a smaller roler in the radio.
2. Some ideas in the story are left out in the radio.
3. Radio has sounds effects, music and silence
#5 What does Mr. Bittering do to cope with his fears about living on Mars? Write 2
He tries to build a rocket to leave Mars, showing his determination to escape, and he also works on the farm, attempting to keep his mind occupied and distract himself from his fear.
#7 A road can correctly be described as submerged in water, which of the following must be true?
It is fully surrounded with water. It will be impossible to navigate.
#23 & 24 What does it mean? & How does the figurative language add to the literal meaning?
The rubber tire swings are no longer used as play things.
It expresses loss while suggesting the power of Mars.
#11 Provide a quote to support your answer in #10
The wind blew as if to flake away their identities. At any moment, the Martian air might draw his soul from him, as marrow comes from a white bone.
#29 Which italic terms in the following sentence are in the positive degree? Choose three options.
The most interesting discovery made by NASA’s mechanical rover, fittingly named “Curiosity,” was an ancient streamed that showed that a stream of water deeper than originally thought flowed there long ago.
Fittingly
Ancient
Originally