Characterization
How does the characterization of Doon Harrow add to the plot of the passage?
A. His determination drives him to seek a job in the Pipeworks, pushing the story toward discovering Ember’s secrets.
B. His quiet and timid nature makes him hesitant to take risks, slowing the development of the plot.
C. His desire to avoid gossip leads him to switch jobs with Lina, leading to their growing friendship.
D. His excitement for his new job helps the city of Ember solve its power issues and stop the blackouts immediately.
A. His determination drives him to seek a job in the Pipeworks, pushing the story toward discovering Ember’s secrets.
How does the setting of Ember contribute to the plot?
A. The advanced lighting technology in Ember makes the city self-sufficient, leading to fewer problems for its citizens.
B. The abundance of artifical light in Ember allows the characters to live peacefully, reducing the tension in the story.
C. The city’s reliance on artificial light create a sense of chaos as resources begin to dwindle.
D. The city’s location above ground encourages exploration and discovery beyond its borders.
C. The city’s reliance on artificial light create a sense of chaos as resources begin to dwindle.
Read this phrase from the passage:
"The lights of Ember trembled like tired eyes about to close."
Which type of figurative language is used in this phrase and what does it help the reader understand?
A. Hyperbole--The lights of Ember are strong and unbreakable.
B. Simile--The city’s lights are flickering and unreliable, suggesting the city is in danger.
C. Metaphor--The lights are controlled by the people of Ember and can be fixed easily.
D. Simile--The lights shine brighter than ever, keeping the city safe at night.
B. Simile--The city’s lights are flickering and unreliable, suggesting the city is in danger.
Read this sentence from the passage:
"The instructions were indecipherable, their meaning obscured by time and wear."
What does the word indecipherable most likely mean in this context?
A. Easily understood
B. Impossible to read or interpret
C. Written in another language
D. Carefully preserved
B. Impossible to read or interpret
How does the characterization of Lina Mayfleet add to the plot of the passage?
A. Lina’s acceptance of her job shows that she is agreeable, leading to her understanding of the purpose of Assignment Day.
B. Lina’s fear of the Pipeworks causes her to refuse the job assignment, causing a conflict with the Mayor.
C. Lina’s desire for an easy life makes her accept any job without question, causing her friends to feel bad for her.
D. Her energetic nature prompts her to switch jobs with Doon, leading to Doon's exploration of the Pipeworks.
D. Her energetic nature prompts her to switch jobs with Doon, leading to Doon's exploration of the Pipeworks.
Part A: How do the events of Assignment Day contribute to the plot?
A. They introduce the central conflict of the growing issues in Ember by showing Doon's insistence on switching his assignment.
B. They introduce the central theme that everyone needs to grow up one day and contribute to their community.
C. They ensure that everyone is satisfied with their assigned job, promoting peace throughout the city.
D. They introduce the central conflict between Lina and Doon sa they regret switching assignments.
A. They introduce the central conflict of the growing issues in Ember by showing Doon's insistence on switching his assignment.
Part A: Read this phrase from the passage:
"The shadows crawled up the walls as the lights dimmed."
Which type of figurative language is used in this phrase and what does it help the reader understand?
A. Metaphor--The shadows indicate that the city is expanding, providing more light to its people.
B. Hyperbole--The lights of Ember are growing stronger, chasing the shadows away.
C. Personification--The city’s shadows seem alive, creating an eerie and unsettling atmosphere.
D. Onomatopoeia--The people of Ember use shadows to hide from danger.
C. Personification--The city’s shadows seem alive, creating an eerie and unsettling atmosphere.
"The flickering lights signaled the city’s deterioration, a slow unraveling that no one could stop."
What does the word deterioration most likely mean in this context?
A. Improvement over time
B. Celebration and growth
C. Gradual decline or breakdown
D. Sudden explosion of energy
C. Gradual decline or breakdown
How does the characterization of Doon’s father add to the plot of the passage?
A. His belief in following rules makes Doon hesitate to switch jobs, slowing the story’s development.
B. His encouragement of Doon’s curiosity inspires Doon to investigate Ember’s issues, advancing the plot.
C. His lack of interest in Ember’s problems causes Doon to lose motivation, stalling the plot.
D. His insistence that Doon stay above ground leads to conflict with Lina.
B. His encouragement of Doon’s curiosity inspires Doon to investigate Ember’s issues, advancing the plot.
Select the quotation that best supports how the setting contributes to the plot.
A. "The lights went out, and the city was plunged into darkness, but it was nothing unusual."
B. "Beyond the city was darkness. No one had ever been far beyond the city’s edge."
C. "The city of Ember was old, and everything in it, including the power lines, was beginning to fall apart."
D. "People in Ember knew there was no place but their city. The world beyond was unknown."
C. "The city of Ember was old, and everything in it, including the power lines, was beginning to fall apart."
Read this phrase from the passage:
"The roar of the underground river was a wild beast, echoing through the tunnels."
Which type of figurative language is used in this phrase and what does it help the reader to understand?
A. Simile--The people of Ember rely on the underground river for survival.
B. Metaphor--The river is dangerous and powerful, posing a threat to the city’s stability.
C. Alliteration--The people of Ember rely on the underground river for survival.
D. Idiom--The river is dangerous and powerful, posing a threat to the city’s stability.
B. Metaphor--The river is dangerous and powerful, posing a threat to the city’s stability.
Read this sentence from the passage:
"Lina’s excitement was palpable as she held her job slip tightly in her hand."
What does the word palpable most likely mean in this context?
A. Difficult to notice
B. Obvious and able to be felt
C. Weak and fading
D. Confusing or unclear
B. Obvious and able to be felt
How does the characterization of the Builders (mentioned in the story’s background) add to the plot of the passage?
A. Their decision to provide detailed instructions ensures that the people of Ember know how to fix the city.
B. Their mysterious and limited instructions create the central conflict, driving characters like Doon and Lina to seek answers.
C. The Builders’ continued presence in Ember allows the city to run smoothly, reducing the tension in the plot.
D. Their direct involvement in the Assignment Day ceremony highlights their role as current city leaders.
B. Their mysterious and limited instructions create the central conflict, driving characters like Doon and Lina to seek answers.
Select the quotation that best supports how the conflict between Lina and Doon about their job assignments contributes to the conflict.
A. "Without hesitation, Lina offered Doon her slip of paper. ‘I’ll switch with you,’ she said."
B. "Doon gripped the paper tightly. ‘I want to be down in the underground tunnels. I need to see how things work.’"
C. "Lina’s heart lifted at Doon’s words. Maybe they could trade."
D. "The job you drew is the job you must take. There are no exceptions,’ the mayor said sternly."
B. "Doon gripped the paper tightly. ‘I want to be down in the underground tunnels. I need to see how things work.’"
Read this phrase from the passage:
"The bag of job slips sat like a silent judge, ready to decide the students' futures."
Which type of figurative language is used in this phrase?
A. Personification--The process of job assignment is seen as serious and final, making the students anxious.
B. Metaphor--The job assignments feel random and unimportant to the students.
C. Simile--The process of job assignment is seen as serious and final, making the students anxious.
D. Hyperbole--The job assignments feel random and unimportant to the students.
C. Simile--The process of job assignment is seen as serious and final, making the students anxious.
"Doon’s frustration simmered beneath the surface, though he kept his expression neutral."
What does the word simmered most likely mean in this context?
A. Cooled down over time
B. Was hidden but still felt strongly
C. Boiled rapidly and openly
D. Disappeared completely
B. Was hidden but still felt strongly