Perspective
Literary Elements
Vocabulary
Figurative Language
100

Select two ways in which the perspective of the citizens of Ember is developed by the author in Chapter 1.
Excerpt: "The people of Ember had grown used to the flickering lights, the occasional blackouts, and the constant hum of the power plant. They barely noticed it anymore."

A) The citizens of Ember are deeply worried about the state of the city’s power system.
B) The citizens of Ember have become desensitized to the city's problems, accepting them as normal.
C) The citizens of Ember continue to seek solutions to fix the power system.
D) The citizens of Ember are unaware of the severity of the power plant’s failure.

B) The citizens of Ember have become desensitized to the city's problems, accepting them as normal.

D) The citizens of Ember are unaware of the severity of the power plant’s failure.

100

How does the conflict between the city of Ember’s leaders and the power shortage add to the plot of Chapter 1?

A) It leads the citizens of Ember to feel more optimistic about their future.
B) It increases the tension in the city, showing that the city’s leaders are struggling to find a solution.
C) It allows the leaders to solve the problem immediately.
D) It causes the power shortage to be ignored by everyone in the city.

B) It increases the tension in the city, showing that the city’s leaders are struggling to find a solution.

100

What is the meaning of the word “flickered” in the sentence: "The lights flickered again, a faint, almost imperceptible stutter that made the people of Ember hold their breath"?

A) The lights shone brightly and steadily.
B) The lights shone in different colors.
C) The lights went on and off repeatedly in a shaky manner.
D) The lights turned off and stayed off.

C) The lights went on and off repeatedly in a shaky manner.

100

What effect does the phrase “the air was always cool and damp” have on the passage?
Excerpt: "The air was always cool and damp, a constant reminder that the city was built underground, far from the warmth of the sun."

A) It creates a sense of comfort and warmth, suggesting a cozy environment.
B) It reinforces the gloomy and oppressive atmosphere of Ember, emphasizing the city’s bleakness.
C) It highlights the beauty of the underground city and its peaceful nature.
D) It shows how the citizens of Ember are always prepared for the weather.

B) It reinforces the gloomy and oppressive atmosphere of Ember, emphasizing the city’s bleakness.

200

Select two ways in which the perspective of the mayor is developed by the author in Chapter 1.

A) The mayor is depicted as a responsible leader trying to find solutions for the city.
B) The mayor is described as incompetent and more interested in keeping his position than solving problems.
C) The mayor is shown as understanding the severity of the city's problems and acting quickly.
D) The mayor is hidden from the citizens and rarely appears in public.

B) The mayor is described as incompetent and more interested in keeping his position than solving problems.

D) The mayor is hidden from the citizens and rarely appears in public.

200

How does the conflict between Lina Mayfleet and the challenges of being a messenger add to the plot of Chapter 1?

A) It shows Lina’s fear of talking to other people in the city.
B) It introduces the theme of communication and how important it is for the survival of Ember.
C) It reveals Lina’s excitement about the city’s troubles.
D) It highlights Lina’s desire to leave Ember immediately.

B) It introduces the theme of communication and how important it is for the survival of Ember.

200

What is the meaning of the word “oppressive” in the sentence: "The oppressive darkness seemed to weigh heavily on the people of Ember"?

A) Light and comforting.
B) Freeing and uplifting.
C) Harsh, uncomfortable, and difficult to endure.
D) Warm and inviting.

C) Harsh, uncomfortable, and difficult to endure.

200

What effect does the metaphor "the city's heart was failing" have on the passage?
Excerpt: "The city's heart was failing, just like the generator that powered it."

A) It shows that the city's power plant is working perfectly.
B) It emphasizes that the city is alive and thriving.
C) It compares the power plant to the heart, suggesting that without it, the city cannot survive.
D) It highlights the strength and reliability of Ember’s infrastructure.

C) It compares the power plant to the heart, suggesting that without it, the city cannot survive.

300

Select two ways in which the perspective of Lina Mayfleet is developed by the author in Chapter 1.

A) Lina is described as curious about the world outside Ember.
B) Lina feels that the city is a safe and happy place.
C) Lina is eager to deliver messages and explore new areas.
D) Lina is worried about the darkening city and its future.

A) Lina is described as curious about the world outside Ember.

C) Lina is eager to deliver messages and explore new areas.

300

How does the conflict between Doon Harrow and the failing power system add to the plot of Chapter 1?

A) It highlights Doon’s excitement about the future of Ember.
B) It sets up Doon’s determination to fix the city’s problems and introduces the central struggle of the city’s power issues.
C) It shows that Doon is unaware of the power problems in the city.
D) It emphasizes the peaceful and calm atmosphere of Ember.

B) It sets up Doon’s determination to fix the city’s problems and introduces the central struggle of the city’s power issues.

300

What does the word “imperceptible” mean in the phrase: "a faint, almost imperceptible stutter"?

A) Easily visible or noticeable.
B) So slight or small that it is almost impossible to notice.
C) Very loud and clear.
D) Very easy to understand.

B) So slight or small that it is almost impossible to notice.

300

What is the meaning of the metaphor “the city was a giant machine, slowly breaking down”?
Excerpt: "The city was a giant machine, slowly breaking down, its gears rusting and its parts falling apart."

A) It shows that the city’s technology is working better than ever.
B) It compares the city to a malfunctioning machine, emphasizing its decay and the impending collapse.
C) It suggests that the city is in perfect working order.
D) It describes the city as a place of constant improvement and growth.

B) It compares the city to a malfunctioning machine, emphasizing its decay and the impending collapse.

400

Select two ways in which the perspective of Doon Harrow is developed by the author in Chapter 1.

A) Doon is excited to work in the city's power plant and fix the lights.
B) Doon is afraid of the dark and the deteriorating city.
C) Doon is determined to make the city's problems better and protect Ember.
D) Doon doesn't care about the city's problems and is focused on his personal life.

A) Doon is excited to work in the city's power plant and fix the lights.

C) Doon is determined to make the city's problems better and protect Ember.

400

How does the conflict between Doon Harrow and his father add to the plot of Chapter 1?

A) It makes Doon decide to stay home and not go to the power plant.
B) It highlights the differences in how Doon and his father view the city’s problems, setting up Doon’s future choices.
C) It causes Doon to agree with his father’s view of Ember’s situation.
D) It shows that Doon and his father have no disagreements.

B) It highlights the differences in how Doon and his father view the city’s problems, setting up Doon’s future choices.

400

What does the word “monotony” mean in the sentence: "The monotony of their daily lives was interrupted only by the flicker of the lights"?

A) Excitement and adventure.
B) A lack of variety or routine.
C) A short, joyful moment.
D) A period of complete silence.

B) A lack of variety or routine.

400

What effect does the phrase “a soft hum that filled the air” have on the passage?
Excerpt: "There was a soft hum that filled the air, the noise of the city's generator, a sound that everyone in Ember had learned to ignore."

A) It makes the city seem peaceful and calm, with no worries.
B) It emphasizes the importance of the generator to the city's daily function, despite it being taken for granted.
C) It shows that the city is powered by the sun, which is quiet and reliable.
D) It suggests that the city’s noise is overwhelming, causing stress to the citizens.

B) It emphasizes the importance of the generator to the city's daily function, despite it being taken for granted.

500

Select two ways in which the perspective of the city's citizens is developed by the author in Chapter 1.

A) The citizens of Ember feel hopeful and are not concerned about the future.
B) The citizens of Ember are used to the lights flickering and have accepted it as normal.
C) The citizens are scared and anxious about the city’s future without reliable light.
D) The citizens are working together to solve the city’s problems in secret.

B) The citizens of Ember are used to the lights flickering and have accepted it as normal.

C) The citizens are scared and anxious about the city’s future without reliable light.

500

How does the setting of the dark streets of Ember add to the plot of Chapter 1?

A) It emphasizes the safety and security the citizens feel while walking at night.
B) It adds tension by showing how the city’s lights are failing, creating a sense of fear and danger.
C) It shows that Ember has advanced technology that prevents darkness.
D) It suggests that the citizens enjoy the darkness because they can hide from others.

B) It adds tension by showing how the city’s lights are failing, creating a sense of fear and danger.

500

What does the word “deteriorating” mean in the sentence: "The city’s power system was deteriorating, causing the lights to flicker more often"?

A) Becoming better and stronger.
B) Becoming weaker and falling apart.
C) Remaining the same without any changes.
D) Expanding and growing.

B) Becoming weaker and falling apart.

500

What is the effect of the personification in the phrase “the city seemed to breathe in and out”?
Excerpt: "The city seemed to breathe in and out, the hum of the generator like the pulse of its body."

A) It makes the city seem alive, suggesting that it is more than just a place—it has its own life and rhythm.
B) It shows that the city is silent and still.
C) It highlights the mechanical nature of the city, suggesting it has no energy or life.
D) It implies the city’s population is unaware of its current state.

A) It makes the city seem alive, suggesting that it is more than just a place—it has its own life and rhythm.