Mystery
Question 1 – DOK 3
In paragraph 1, Jules Verne describes Phileas Fogg as a "mystifying personage, about whom little was known." How does this description establish mystery at the beginning of the passage, and what effect does it have on the reader?
The description immediately establishes Fogg as an unusual and mysterious character. By revealing that little is known about him, the author encourages readers to question his identity, background, and lifestyle. This creates curiosity and makes readers want to learn more about him.
The question introduces uncertainty about Fogg's experiences and suggests that he may have traveled extensively. The author does not provide a definite answer because withholding information keeps readers curious about Fogg's past and encourages them to continue reading.
A. He suggests that Fogg inherited money from his family.
B. He creates uncertainty about Fogg's background, encouraging readers to wonder about his wealth.
C. He establishes that Fogg is dishonest about his finances.
D. He suggests that Fogg does not understand the value of money.
Correct Answer: B
How does Jules Verne develop Phileas Fogg's character by revealing that he is wealthy but keeping the source of his fortune unexplained?
A. The author portrays Fogg as dishonest by suggesting that he obtained his wealth illegally.
B. The author develops Fogg as a mysterious and private individual whose background leaves readers curious about his life.
C. The author establishes that Fogg is careless with money and does not value his wealth.
D. The author portrays Fogg as an unsuccessful businessman who struggles to maintain his fortune.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The author develops Fogg as a mysterious and private character by revealing that he is wealthy without explaining how he acquired his fortune. This characterization creates curiosity and encourages readers to learn more about his background.
How does the author create suspense by revealing that Phileas Fogg is wealthy but not explaining how he acquired his fortune?
A. The author suggests that Fogg inherited his wealth from his family.
B. The author creates uncertainty about Fogg's background, encouraging readers to question how he became wealthy.
C. The author establishes that Fogg is dishonest about his financial situation.
D. The author suggests that Fogg does not understand the value of money.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The author reveals Fogg's wealth but withholds the source of his fortune. This unanswered question creates curiosity and encourages readers to continue reading.
How does Jules Verne control the pacing in paragraphs 1–4?
A. He immediately reveals everything about Phileas Fogg.
B. He gradually provides details about Fogg while leaving important questions unanswered.
C. He focuses primarily on action and physical movement.
D. He quickly moves from one setting to another.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The author slowly reveals information about Fogg's personality, wealth, and possible travels, allowing the mystery to develop.
Why does the author provide a list of occupations that Phileas Fogg does NOT have instead of revealing what he actually does for a living? How does this structural choice contribute to the mystery?
The author deliberately withholds information about Fogg's occupation. By explaining what he does not do, rather than what he does, Verne creates uncertainty about his identity and makes readers wonder how he supports himself.
2. (DOK 3) How does the author's use of the question "Had he traveled?" contribute to the suspense of the passage?
A. It confirms that Fogg has traveled around the world.
B. It reveals that Fogg dislikes traveling.
C. It introduces uncertainty about Fogg's experiences and encourages readers to seek answers.
D. It explains why Fogg is wealthy.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The question makes readers curious about Fogg's past experiences without providing a definite answer.
Which additional detail from paragraph 3 BEST supports the idea that Phileas Fogg is a private and mysterious individual?
A. "He was not lavish or avaricious."
B. "He supplied it quietly and sometimes anonymously."
C. "He talked very little and seemed all the more mysterious for his taciturn manner."
D. "Was Phileas Fogg rich? Undoubtedly."
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The word taciturn means someone who speaks very little. This detail directly supports the idea that Fogg is private and difficult to understand.
Which author's choice MOST effectively contributes to the suspense surrounding Phileas Fogg?
A. Providing specific details about his daily schedule.
B. Revealing that he lives at No. 7, Saville Row.
C. Gradually revealing information about his life while leaving important questions unanswered.
D. Identifying the organizations he refuses to join.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The author controls the amount of information readers receive. By withholding important details, Verne creates suspense and maintains interest.
Why does the author spend an entire paragraph describing the occupations and organizations Phileas Fogg is NOT associated with?
A. To speed up the story by eliminating unnecessary information.
B. To introduce a conflict between Fogg and the people of London.
C. To establish that Fogg is unemployed and financially unsuccessful.
D. To slow the pacing and gradually build the reader's understanding of how unusual Fogg is.
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The detailed list slows the presentation of information and emphasizes that Fogg does not fit into the typical social and professional roles of London society.
In paragraph 3, the author reveals that Phileas Fogg is wealthy but does not explain how he acquired his fortune. Why might the author intentionally withhold this information, and how does it contribute to the development of mystery?
The author withholds this information to keep readers curious about Fogg's past. His wealth suggests that he has an interesting background, but because the author does not explain its source, readers are left wondering how he became rich. This maintains the mystery surrounding his character.
(DOK 3) Which author's choice MOST effectively maintains suspense throughout paragraphs 1–4?
A. Providing a detailed explanation of Fogg's childhood.
B. Introducing several new characters.
C. Gradually revealing information about Fogg while leaving important details unanswered.
D. Explaining Fogg's daily schedule in chronological order.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The author carefully controls how much information readers receive. By withholding important details, he maintains curiosity and suspense.
Which character trait BEST describes Phileas Fogg based on his actions in paragraph 3?
A. Selfish and dishonest
B. Generous and reserved
C. Arrogant and impatient
D. Careless and irresponsible
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Fogg quietly provides money for noble and charitable purposes, demonstrating generosity. His tendency to speak very little demonstrates that he is reserved.
What is the effect of the author's use of the question "Had he traveled?" in paragraph 4?
A. It confirms that Fogg has traveled to every country.
B. It creates uncertainty about Fogg's experiences and encourages readers to wonder about his past.
C. It explains why Fogg is wealthy.
D. It reveals that Fogg is afraid of traveling.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The question introduces uncertainty and encourages readers to seek answers about Fogg's experiences.
How does the author's use of several rhetorical questions affect the pacing of the passage?
A. It speeds up the action by introducing several new events.
B. It eliminates the mystery by providing immediate explanations.
C. It slows the development of information by encouraging readers to consider unanswered questions about Fogg.
D. It shifts the story's focus away from Phileas Fogg.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Questions such as "Was Phileas Fogg rich?" and "Had he traveled?" interrupt the descriptive flow and encourage readers to think about what remains unknown.
How does Phileas Fogg's quiet and secretive personality contribute to the mystery surrounding him? Use evidence from paragraph 3 to support your answer.
Fogg's quiet personality makes it difficult for others to understand him. The author states, "He talked very little and seemed all the more mysterious for his taciturn manner." Because Fogg rarely communicates personal information, the people around him cannot easily discover details about his life.
(DOK 3) What is the effect of describing Phileas Fogg as a man who "talked very little"?
A. It suggests that Fogg is afraid of meeting people.
B. It creates suspense because readers have difficulty discovering information about his personality and background.
C. It proves that Fogg is unfriendly toward everyone.
D. It reveals that Fogg has no interest in the outside world.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Fogg's silence prevents others from learning much about him, which strengthens the uncertainty surrounding his character.
How does the author use Phileas Fogg's actions to reveal his personality rather than directly describing his character?
A. By explaining his childhood experiences and family history.
B. By showing that he quietly gives money to people and causes in need.
C. By describing his physical appearance and clothing.
D. By explaining why he avoids traveling to other countries.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The author uses Fogg's actions to demonstrate that he is generous and humble without directly stating those character traits.
How does the author's description of Fogg as someone who "talked very little" contribute to suspense?
A. It suggests that Fogg is unable to communicate with others.
B. It reveals that Fogg dislikes everyone he encounters.
C. It makes it difficult for others to discover information about him, maintaining the mystery surrounding his character.
D. It establishes that Fogg is afraid to express his opinions.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Fogg's quiet personality prevents others from learning much about him, which strengthens the suspense surrounding his life.
Which statement BEST explains why Jules Verne does not immediately reveal how Phileas Fogg acquired his wealth?
A. The author wants to make the story move faster.
B. The author wants readers to lose interest in Fogg's background.
C. The author deliberately delays important information to maintain curiosity and suspense.
D. The author wants to suggest that Fogg is poor.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: By delaying this information, the author controls the pacing and keeps readers interested in discovering more about Fogg.
How does the question "Had he traveled?" in paragraph 4 contribute to the mystery of Phileas Fogg? Why doesn't the author provide a definite answer?
The question introduces uncertainty about Fogg's experiences and suggests that he may have traveled extensively. The author does not provide a definite answer because withholding information keeps readers curious about Fogg's past and encourages them to continue reading.
How does the author control the pacing of the passage to maintain suspense? Explain why revealing information gradually is more effective than immediately explaining everything about Phileas Fogg.
The author controls pacing by gradually revealing details about Fogg's identity, wealth, personality, and possible travels. Instead of providing all the answers immediately, he introduces information that creates additional questions. This approach maintains suspense because readers must continue reading to discover more about Fogg.
What does the statement "He was not lavish or avaricious" reveal about Phileas Fogg?
A. He spends money carelessly and enjoys showing off his wealth.
B. He is extremely greedy and refuses to help others.
C. He is neither wasteful nor greedy with his money.
D. He does not have enough money to support himself.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Fogg does not spend money extravagantly or demonstrate greed. His attitude toward money suggests that he is disciplined and practical.
Why does Jules Verne reveal some information about Phileas Fogg but leave other details unexplained?
A. To create suspense by giving readers enough information to become curious without revealing everything.
B. To confuse readers about the setting of the story.
C. To establish that Fogg is an unreliable narrator.
D. To make the story move faster by eliminating unnecessary details.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The author strategically controls the release of information to keep readers interested in discovering more about Fogg.
How does the detailed description of Phileas Fogg's daily routine affect the pacing of the passage?
A. It slows the narrative to emphasize Fogg's predictable habits and unusual personality.
B. It accelerates the story by introducing a major conflict.
C. It creates a sudden change in the setting.
D. It reveals the ending of the story.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The author pauses to describe Fogg's consistent behavior, allowing readers to understand his disciplined and predictable lifestyle.