The Elements
What is the setting when Kristen first wakes up?
A. A suburban backyard
B. A jungle by a river
C. A busy diner parking lot
B. A jungle by a river
Which detail most strongly suggests Kristen is disoriented when she wakes up?
A. Her cheek is pressed into dirt and she has a throbbing headache.
B. She hears birds chirping.
C. She remembers trading shifts at work.
A. Her cheek is pressed into dirt and she has a throbbing headache.
Why does Kristen decide to follow the river downstream?
A. She thinks the river will lead to a meadow.
B. She wants to find a place to swim to cool off.
C. She believes cities are often built along rivers and hopes it will lead to civilization.
C. She believes cities are often built along rivers and hopes it will lead to civilization.
Which best describes the point of view of the passage?
A. First-person narration from Kristen's perspective.
B. Omniscient third-person with equal access to every character’s inner thoughts.
C. Third-person limited focused mainly on Kristen with occasional insight into others.
C. Third-person limited focused mainly on Kristen with occasional insight into others.
When Kristen meets Ezekiel and Anusha, what is revealed about their memories?
A. Only Kristen remembers the afternoon events.
B. None of them remember anything after the morning.
C. They all remember everything clearly.
B. None of them remember anything after the morning.
Which sentence best shows that Kristen thinks hearing her own voice reassures her?
A. "She stood up, dusting off her jeans."
B. "The tall grass obscured whatever hid beneath."
C. "'I need to find other people,' Kristen said. Even hearing her own voice was a comfort."
C. "'I need to find other people,' Kristen said. Even hearing her own voice was a comfort."
What obstacle makes Kristen avoid trying to cross the river directly?
A. There are dangerous animals in the water.
B. The river has rapids and she is not a good swimmer.
C. There is no visible path on the other side.
B. The river has rapids and she is not a good swimmer.
What is a central theme of the passage?
A. The importance of always being alert at work.
B. Facing unexpected challenges and relying on others to survive.
C. The benefits of reality television.
B. Facing unexpected challenges and relying on others to survive.
Which inference is best supported by the text about why the three characters are together?
A. They all appear to have been placed in the same location and timeframe unexpectedly.
B. They all work at the same diner.
C. They planned a trip to the jungle together.
A. They all appear to have been placed in the same location and timeframe unexpectedly.
Which word in the passage most nearly means "frightening" as used in "dark and foreboding"?
A. Relaxing
B. Dangerous
C. Familiar
B. Dangerous
What does Ezekiel reveal about the situation before he leaves?
A. That they are in a national park where camping is allowed.
B. That they signed waivers for a reality TV survival show and are in a Southern Hemisphere jungle.
C. That they are part of a scientific study about memory.
B. That they signed waivers for a reality TV survival show and are in a Southern Hemisphere jungle.
Which detail best supports the idea that the characters are young adults?
A. Descriptions of their childhood games.
B. Their ages are described as late teens or early twenties and mention of student and work roles.
C. They plan to go back to school together.
B. Their ages are described as late teens or early twenties and mention of student and work roles.
Which line from the passage best shows a change in Ezekiel's behavior?
A. "I'm Ezekiel."
B. "He closed his eyes, as if he was in deep thought or listening to something."
C. "He turned back to the two girls. His posture had changed. Now he stood up straight and looked older, more powerful."
C. "He turned back to the two girls. His posture had changed. Now he stood up straight and looked older, more powerful."
How does dialogue contribute to character development in the passage?
A. Dialogue reveals specifics about the jungle’s wildlife.
B. Dialogue lists rules of the survival show in detail.
C. Dialogue shows their confusion, backgrounds, and quickly establishes trust between Kristen and Anusha.
C. Dialogue shows their confusion, backgrounds, and quickly establishes trust between Kristen and Anusha.
How does Ezekiel’s exit affect the girls?
A. They decide to return to the clearing and wait for help.
B. He gives them food and then walks away.
C. He tells them they have twenty-four hours to find civilization, then leaves, prompting them to pair up and move.
C. He tells them they have twenty-four hours to find civilization, then leaves, prompting them to pair up and move.
Which sentence most directly states the time limit given to Kristen and Anusha?
A. "We were going to ask you the same thing."
B. "You two have twenty-four hours to find your way back to civilization."
C. "He turned back to the two girls."
B. "You two have twenty-four hours to find your way back to civilization."
How does the author use setting to influence the plot?
A. The suburban setting makes the characters immediately comfortable.
B. The jungle, river, and clearing force the characters to make survival choices and meet one another.
C. The city setting provides many resources for the characters.
B. The jungle, river, and clearing force the characters to make survival choices and meet one another.
How does the author create a mood of unease as Kristen walks along the river?
A. By noting the feeling of being watched and creatures moving in the undergrowth.
B. By describing the sunlight and flowers in detail.
C. By telling the reader that Kristen is excited to explore.
A. By noting the feeling of being watched and creatures moving in the undergrowth.
Why might Anusha and Kristen decide to become partners?
A. They are the only people present and hope teaming up increases their chance of finding help.
B. They want to compete against Ezekiel.
C. They recognize each other from work.
A. They are the only people present and hope teaming up increases their chance of finding help.
What is implied by the author including the detail that Kristen had traded a shift at the diner that morning?
A. It supports the idea that she had plans that afternoon but cannot remember them, showing memory loss.
B. It implies she had no plans and was seeking adventure.
C. It proves she intentionally disappeared.
A. It supports the idea that she had plans that afternoon but cannot remember them, showing memory loss.