The Lantern
In Passage 1, how does Mrs. Bell’s characterization interact with the sailors’ assumptions to develop the story’s central idea?
A Her calm actions demonstrate that courage cannot be determined simply by gender.
B Her decision proves that women should always take responsibility during emergencies.
C Her knowledge of the lighthouse shows that the sailors are inexperienced workers.
D Her refusal to wait for help demonstrates that she does not respect Captain Ellis.
A Her calm actions demonstrate that courage cannot be determined simply by gender.
Which statement BEST expresses a central theme developed throughout Passage 1?
A People should avoid dangerous situations whenever possible.
B Traditional expectations can prevent people from recognizing another person’s abilities.
C Physical strength is the most important quality during a crisis.
D People are most courageous when they work without help from others.
B Traditional expectations can prevent people from recognizing another person’s abilities.
How does Elena’s characterization interact with Mr. Warren’s assumptions to develop the story?
A Her decision to speak demonstrates that she wants to replace Mr. Warren as council leader.
B Her nervousness confirms his belief that young people should not attend council meetings.
C Her research proves that the council members already understand the station’s history.
D Her preparation challenges his belief that young people have nothing valuable to contribute.
D Her preparation challenges his belief that young people have nothing valuable to contribute.
Which recurring event pattern appears in both passages?
A A character is underestimated, demonstrates an unexpected ability, and causes others to reconsider their judgment.
B A dangerous situation causes a group of people to leave before the conflict is resolved.
CA character breaks a law, receives punishment, and apologizes to the community.
D A community leader makes a decision that another character secretly changes.
A A character is underestimated, demonstrates an unexpected ability, and causes others to reconsider their judgment.
If Mrs. Bell and Elena started a club together, what would the club's motto MOST likely be?
A “Never do anything without asking an adult.”
B “Sit quietly and let everyone else decide.”
C “Maybe you should reconsider your assumptions.”
D “Dangerous situations are the perfect time for snacks.”
C “Maybe you should reconsider your assumptions.”
Which TWO details best show that Mrs. Bell’s actions challenge the assumptions of the other characters? (Select TWO.)
A She has lived beside the lighthouse for twenty years.
B She offers to repair the lighthouse when the men believe the task is too dangerous for her.
C She takes a lantern from the shelf.
D She returns to the station soaked from the rain but calm.
B She offers to repair the lighthouse when the men believe the task is too dangerous for her.
D She returns to the station soaked from the rain but calm.
How does the sequence of events contribute to the development of the story’s theme?
A The characters discuss courage, Mrs. Bell is underestimated, and her actions provide evidence that changes the men’s judgment.
B The characters discuss the storm, the sailors leave the harbor, and Mrs. Bell decides to become a sailor.
C Mrs. Bell explains her abilities, the sailors challenge her, and Captain Ellis prevents her from entering the lighthouse.
D The sailors repair the lighthouse, Mrs. Bell watches them work, and Captain Ellis praises their courage.
A The characters discuss courage, Mrs. Bell is underestimated, and her actions provide evidence that changes the men’s judgment.
Which TWO details BEST show that Elena’s preparation gives her credibility? (Select TWO.)
A She has spent the summer researching the station.
B She has found photographs, newspaper articles, and historical records.
C She sits near the back of the room.
D She lowers her hand when Mr. Warren speaks to her.
A She has spent the summer researching the station.
B She has found photographs, newspaper articles, and historical records.
Both passages were written about communities in which certain expectations influenced who was considered capable or important. Which TWO statements BEST explain how these expectations affect the characters? (Select TWO.)
A The sailors underestimate Mrs. Bell because they associate dangerous work with men.
B Both stories suggest that social expectations always prevent people from succeeding.
C Both Mrs. Bell and Elena refuse to participate in their communities.
D The council initially dismisses Elena because they associate authority with older adults.
A The sailors underestimate Mrs. Bell because they associate dangerous work with men.
D The council initially dismisses Elena because they associate authority with older adults.
How do the final statements in both passages serve a similar structural purpose?
A They introduce new conflicts that remain unresolved.
B They provide background information about the settings.
C They offer a final realization that changes how the characters’ earlier assumptions are understood.
D They explain why the main characters decided to leave their communities.
C They offer a final realization that changes how the characters’ earlier assumptions are understood.
How does the description of the storm in paragraphs 1 and 6 affect the story?
A It creates a peaceful mood that makes Mrs. Bell’s decision seem ordinary.
B It creates a humorous mood that makes the sailors’ reactions seem exaggerated.
C It creates a threatening mood that emphasizes the danger of Mrs. Bell’s decision.
D It creates a romantic mood that emphasizes Mrs. Bell’s relationship with her husband.
C It creates a threatening mood that emphasizes the danger of Mrs. Bell's decision.
What does the lantern most likely symbolize in Passage 1?
A The sailors’ fear of the storm
B The sailors’ desire to escape the lighthouse
C Captain Ellis’s authority over the harbor
D Mrs. Bell’s knowledge and determination
D Mrs. Bell’s knowledge and determination
What is the effect of the contrast between Elena’s position in the back of the room and her later position at the front table?
A It shows that Elena becomes increasingly nervous about speaking.
B It emphasizes her movement from being ignored to becoming an important participant.
C It demonstrates that the council members want Elena to become their leader.
D It shows that Elena is physically separated from the other students.
B It emphasizes her movement from being ignored to becoming an important participant.
Which statement BEST expresses a central theme developed throughout Passage 2?
A Age always determines who is best prepared to make important decisions.
B People should remain silent until they are specifically invited to speak.
C A person’s age does not determine the value of that person’s ideas.
D Historical buildings are more valuable than modern buildings.
C A person’s age does not determine the value of that person’s ideas.
What socially relevant idea is developed in both passages?
A People should avoid questioning traditions because traditions protect communities.
B Young people and women should always take leadership positions during difficult situations.
C People’s abilities and ideas should not be judged solely according to social expectations.
D Communities make better decisions when older members are given complete authority.
C People’s abilities and ideas should not be judged solely according to social expectations.
In Passage 1, Mrs. Bell is described as standing “quietly beside the stove” (para. 3). How does the connotation of the word “quietly” contribute to her characterization?
A It suggests that Mrs. Bell is frightened and unable to speak.
B It emphasizes her calm and controlled nature.
C It shows that Mrs. Bell is angry with the sailors.
D It suggests that Mrs. Bell does not understand what is happening.
B. It emphasizes her calm and controlled nature.
Read Captain Ellis’s statement:
“Perhaps we have been measuring courage by the wrong thing.”
Which TWO ideas are BEST supported by this statement? (Select TWO).
A Courage should not be judged only by physical strength.
B People’s assumptions can prevent them from recognizing courage.
C Only experienced sailors can demonstrate courage.
D Dangerous situations always require people to act alone.
A Courage should not be judged only by physical strength.
B People’s assumptions can prevent them from recognizing courage.
In Passage 2, Mr. Warren looks at Elena and “smiled politely” (para. 7). How does this phrase contribute to his characterization?
A It suggests that he is openly angry with Elena.
B It suggests that he is respectful of Elena’s research.
C It suggests that he is being courteous while still dismissing her.
D It suggests that he is uncertain about his own position.
C It suggests that he is being courteous while still dismissing her.
Why does the author return to the image of Elena’s chair in paragraph 20?
A To remind readers that Elena left the meeting early
B To emphasize the difference between where Elena began and where her ideas eventually belonged
C To show that Elena was uncomfortable speaking in front of adults
D To explain why Mr. Warren changed his vote
B To emphasize the difference between where Elena began and where her ideas eventually belonged
Both passages use a character’s actions to challenge the judgment of a group. How do the authors develop this idea differently?
A Passage 1 shows a character accepting a stereotype, while Passage 2 shows a character refusing to speak.
B Passage 1 uses a political debate, while Passage 2 uses a physical challenge.
C Passage 1 focuses on historical research, while Passage 2 focuses on surviving a storm.
D Passage 1 uses a dangerous physical task, while Passage 2 uses research and public speaking.
D Passage 1 uses a dangerous physical task, while Passage 2 uses research and public speaking.
"The Lantern" is set during a period when traditional gender roles often influenced people's expectations about what kinds of work men and women should perform. How does this context affect the sailor's reaction to Mrs. Bell?
A. It explains why the sailors assume that dangerous work should be handled by men.
B. It explains why the sailors believe women are better suited to repairing machinery.
C. It shows that the sailors have no experience working with lighthouse equipment.
D. It shows that the sailors believe women are responsible for maintaining the harbor.
A. It explains why the sailors assume that dangerous work should be handled by men.
Why does the author wait until the final paragraph to reveal Captain Ellis’s conclusion?
A To provide information about how the lighthouse works
B To explain why the storm began
C To give a final judgment that changes how the earlier events can be understood
D To show that Captain Ellis was responsible for Mrs. Bell’s decision
C To give a final judgment that changes how the earlier events can be understood
The passage is set during a period when younger people were often expected to listen to older community leaders rather than participate in important decisions. How does this context affect Mr. Warren’s response to Elena?
A It shows that Mr. Warren believes students should control town decisions.
B It explains why Elena is responsible for organizing the council meeting.
C It helps explain why he initially assumes that Elena should not participate in the discussion.
D It demonstrates that the council members are unfamiliar with the town’s history.
C It helps explain why he initially assumes that Elena should not participate in the discussion.
What does the empty chair most likely symbolize at the end of the passage?
A The council’s inability to make a decision
B The absence of older community members
C The opportunity that was lost when Elena’s voice was initially ignored
D The destruction of the train station
C The opportunity that was lost when Elena’s voice was initially ignored
How do the symbols in the two passages contribute to their themes?
A The lantern represents physical danger, while the chair represents political authority.
B The lantern represents Mrs. Bell’s determination, while the chair represents an opportunity for Elena’s voice to be heard.
C The lantern represents the sailors’ fear, while the chair represents Mr. Warren’s power.
D The lantern represents the lighthouse, while the chair represents the town council.
B The lantern represents Mrs. Bell’s determination, while the chair represents an opportunity for Elena’s voice to be heard.