Comprehension
What is Harry Bittering’s main emotion in the first half of “Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed”?
a. He is curious about the fate of the Martians.
b. He is angry at his wife for wanting to stay on Mars.
c. He is afraid of being changed by the Martian environment.
d. He is annoyed by the other Earth people in the town on Mars.
a. He is curious about the fate of the Martians.
If a road can be described as submerged in water, which of the following must be true?
a. The road is impossible to navigate.
b. The area has experienced a long drought.
c. The location of the road is high in the mountains.
d. The road needs extensive work by the highway department.
a. The road is impossible to navigate.
What does the constant wind on Mars most likely represent?
a. The power of the environment to completely change the Earth people.
b. The sadness that Mr. Bittering feels when he cannot return to Earth.
c. The very hot weather on Mars that disturbs the Earth people.
d. The destruction of the Earth people’s settlement on Mars.
a. The power of the environment to completely change the Earth people.
Which of the following quotations contains a simile?
a. The man felt… as if he were standing at the center of a vacuum.
b. At any moment the Martian air might draw his soul from him.
c. A few tremblings shook him, but were carried off in waves of pleasant heat…
d. And then the water can build on that skeleton…
a. The man felt… as if he were standing at the center of a vacuum.
Which statement best explains how the story text and radio play versions of “Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed” develop Harry Bittering’s character?
a. The story text’s narration directly reveals Harry’s thoughts and feelings…
b. The radio play’s music and sound effects build on Harry’s thoughts…
c. The radio play’s dialogue and the actor’s interpretation create a better sense of his feelings…
d. The story text’s specific focus on Harry develops a stronger character…
c. The radio play’s dialogue and the actor’s interpretation create a better sense of his feelings…
Which event is most important in preventing the family’s return to Earth?
a. The family is happy living on a farm in the new settlement.
b. The return ticket to Earth costs more than the family has.
c. A rocket that Harry builds does not function.
d. An atomic world war breaks out on Earth.
c. A rocket that Harry builds does not function.
What is the most accurate meaning of atmosphere in this sentence?"The atmosphere of the Earth consists of 78 percent nitrogen, 21 percent oxygen, and 1 percent other gases."
a. space
b. chemistry
c. cloud cover
d. surrounding air
d. surrounding air
Which quotation best supports the answer to the previous question?
a. The wind blew as if to flake away their identities...
b. “Even the house. The wind’s done something to it...
"c. The nights were full of wind that blew down the empty moonlit sea meadows...
d. The captain looked at the room... and he heard the soft wind in the air.
a. The wind blew as if to flake away their identities..
Why can the following sentence be called a metaphor?
"A river of wind submerged the house."
a. It makes the river and the wind seem like human beings.
b. It describes how wind can overpower solid objects.
c. It suggests that the wind is a powerful river.
d. It shows that the house is near a river.
c. It suggests that the wind is a powerful river.
Which are the most significant differences between the story and radio play version? (Choose three options)
a. The story features fewer characters than the radio play does.
b. The children play a smaller role in the radio play than they do in the story text.
c. The adaptation for the radio play leaves out important information from the written story.
d. The ideas presented in the story’s narration are often left out or presented in dialogue…
e. The radio play not only relies on words but also adds sound effects, music, and silence…
f. The actors in the radio play interpret the characters’ traits and emotions differently…
e. The radio play not only relies on words but also adds sound effects, music, and silence…
f. The actors in the radio play interpret the characters’ traits and emotions differently…
b. The children play a smaller role in the radio play than they do in the story text.
In “Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed,” what is Mr. Bittering’s first clue that his world is changing?
a. His children want to adopt Martian names.
b. His peach tree sheds strange new blossoms.
c. His wife’s and his children’s eyes turn a golden color.
d. His neighbors calmly accept all the changes around them.
b. His peach tree sheds strange new blossoms.
Which situation best illustrates the meaning of forlorn?
a. A soccer team that has just won a game.
b. An abandoned dog sitting alone in the rain.
c. A teenage babysitter watching two young children play.
d. A busy man on a city street who has just missed a bus.
b. An abandoned dog sitting alone in the rain.
Which of the following best states a major theme in “Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed”?
a. Since we have limited resources on Earth, governments should look to other planets to meet our needs.
b. Humans are generally open-minded and peaceful in their encounters with the unknown.
c. Though people often fear and resist it, change is unavoidable in the end.
d. Far-off worlds can be anything people imagine them to be.
c. Though people often fear and resist it, change is unavoidable in the end.
Which quotation contains the clearest example of personification?
a. The children, small seeds, might at any instant be sown to all the Martian climes.
b. I feel like a salt crystal…
c. The morning paper was toast-warm from the 6 A.M. Earth rocket.
d. This was the moment Mars had waited for.
The children, small seeds, might at any instant be sown to all the Martian climes.
What is the effect of beginning the radio play with an excerpt from the middle of the story?
a. It quickly establishes Mars as a threat and creates a feeling of dread.
b. Because the excerpt is out of context, it makes little sense until…
c. Beginning in the middle makes the radio play seem more modern than the text.
d. The introductory excerpt sets up the audience to be surprised by the twist…
d. The introductory excerpt sets up the audience to be surprised by the twist…
Which sentence best describes the Bittering family members at the conclusion of the story?
a. They are completely changed into Martians and have no memory of their past selves.
b. They are resigned to living on Mars but are unhappy with their lives there.
c. They are different physically but still think and act like Earth people.
d. They are eager to return to Earth now that the atomic war is over.
a. They are completely changed into Martians and have no memory of their past selves.
If a person feels desolate, what is the most likely reason?
a. They are in a crowded place.
b. They have lost something important.
c. They are celebrating a big event.
d. They are surrounded by friends.
b. They have lost something important.
How does the Martian environment affect Mr. Bittering's perspective throughout the story?
a. He feels more connected to his Earth identity.
b. He becomes increasingly fearful and distrustful.
c. He embraces the changes and adapts easily.
d. He becomes indifferent to his surroundings.
b. He becomes increasingly fearful and distrustful.
How does Ray Bradbury use imagery to enhance the story?
a. To create a sense of nostalgia for Earth.
b. To evoke feelings of fear and uncertainty about Mars.
c. To illustrate the beauty of the Martian landscape.
d. To develop the characters’ relationships.
b. To evoke feelings of fear and uncertainty about Mars.
How does the portrayal of Harry Bittering differ between the text and the radio play?
a. He is more sympathetic in the text.
b. He is shown to be more active in the radio play.
c. He appears more fearful in the radio play.
d. He has no significant changes in either version.
c. He appears more fearful in the radio play.
) In “Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed,” what do Mr. Bittering and his family do to cope with their fears about living on Mars? (Choose two options)
a. He investigates Martian ruins to understand them better.
b. He tries to build a rocket to take his family back to Earth.
c. He persuades his wife and family to return with him to Earth.
d. He spends time with other settlers, who talk him out of his fear.
e. He encourages his family to change their names and act like Martians.
f. He concentrates on his work on their small farm and other chores.
b. He tries to build a rocket to take his family back to Earth.
f. He concentrates on his work on their small farm and other chores.
What does the term "submerged" imply in a broader context?
a. To be completely visible.
b. To be hidden or covered by something.
c. To float on the surface.
d. To be partially buried.
b. To be hidden or covered by something.
What is the significance of the title "Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed"?
a. It refers to the physical changes in the Bittering family.
b. It symbolizes the loss of their Earth identity.
c. It highlights the contrast between Earth and Mars.
d. All of the above.
a. It refers to the physical changes in the Bittering family.
What purpose does the dialogue serve in revealing character motivations?
a. It serves to confuse the reader about the characters' intentions.
b. It provides insight into their thoughts and feelings.
c. It adds humor to lighten the story.
d. It shifts the focus away from the main plot.
b. It provides insight into their thoughts and feelings.
In what way does the medium of the radio play enhance the themes presented in the story?
a. By relying solely on dialogue without sound effects.
b. By using sound effects and music to evoke emotions.
c. By focusing on the visual elements rather than the narrative.
d. By simplifying the plot for a younger audience.
b. By using sound effects and music to evoke emotions.