Vocabulary & Connotation
In “And of Clay Are We Created,” Rolf shows great tenacity as he remains with Azucena. Which definition of tenacity best fits its use in the story?
A. A feeling of confusion
B. Persistent determination
C. Sudden fear
D. Physical strength
B. Persistent determination
Why does the author of “Girl, Trapped” most likely present the events surrounding Omayra in chronological order?
A. To persuade readers that the disaster could have been prevented
B. To explain several unrelated causes of volcanic eruptions
C. To compare Omayra with other disaster victims
D. To help readers follow how the crisis developed over time
D. To help readers follow how the crisis developed over time
What is one major purpose of “Girl, Trapped”?
A. To entertain readers with an imaginary disaster
B. To inform readers about Omayra’s experience during a real tragedy
C. To teach readers how to escape a volcanic eruption
D. To persuade readers never to watch television news
B. To inform readers about Omayra’s experience during a real tragedy
What do both selections emphasize about Omayra/Azucena?
A. She willingly chooses to remain in danger.
B. She refuses help from rescuers.
C. She becomes the human face of a much larger disaster.
D. She is unaware that reporters are present.
C. She becomes the human face of a much larger disaster.
Which word has the strongest negative connotation when describing the scene surrounding Azucena?
A. Crowd
B. Gathering
C. Pandemonium
D. Meeting
C. Pandemonium
How does the structure of “And of Clay Are We Created” differ from the structure of the news article?
A. The story focuses only on facts, while the article explores emotions.
B. The story moves between the disaster and Rolf’s emotional memories, while the article primarily reports events.
C. Both texts use exactly the same chronological structure.
D. The article is written as dialogue while the story uses headings.
B. The story moves between the disaster and Rolf’s emotional memories, while the article primarily reports events.
Why does Allende most likely focus so closely on the developing relationship between Rolf and Azucena?
A. To show that human connection can provide comfort even when a person cannot be physically saved
B. To show that reporters should never speak to victims
C. To prove that Rolf is a trained rescue worker
D. To explain why television cameras stopped recording
A. To show that human connection can provide comfort even when a person cannot be physically saved
How does the genre of each text influence the way the tragedy is presented?
A. The news article emphasizes factual information, while Allende’s literary account develops characters and emotional meaning.
B. Both selections avoid factual details.
C. The news article uses fictional characters, while Allende provides only statistics.
D. Both selections are written mainly to explain volcanic science.
A. The news article emphasizes factual information, while Allende’s literary account develops characters and emotional meaning.
Allende describes Azucena sinking “slowly, a flower in the mud.” What does the connotation of flower most emphasize?
A. Azucena’s physical strength
B. Her innocence and fragility
C. The beauty of the landscape
D. The rescuers’ success
B. Her innocence and fragility
Allende gradually shifts the focus from Azucena’s physical entrapment to Rolf’s memories of his own painful past. What is the primary effect of this structural choice?
A. It explains the scientific cause of the disaster.
B. It shows that Rolf is emotionally affected as well as physically involved in the rescue.
C. It proves that Rolf caused the tragedy.
D. It interrupts the story to provide unrelated background information.
B. It shows that Rolf is emotionally affected as well as physically involved in the rescue.
What is the effect of Allende’s description of the cameras and lights surrounding Azucena during her final hours?
A. It makes the rescue appear organized and successful.
B. It contrasts intense public observation with the inability to save her.
C. It suggests the reporters caused the volcanic eruption.
D. It creates a humorous picture of the rescue scene.
B. It contrasts intense public observation with the inability to save her.
A photograph of Omayra in the news article and Allende’s detailed descriptions of Azucena serve a similar purpose because both —
A. provide instructions for rescue workers
B. help readers visualize the human cost of the disaster
C. prove that reporters should not cover tragedies
D. explain the geological causes of the eruption
B. help readers visualize the human cost of the disaster
The word resignation is associated with Azucena’s final hours. Which meaning best fits the context?
A. Leaving an official position
B. Accepting something painful that cannot be changed
C. Refusing to cooperate
D. Becoming angry about unfair treatment
B. Accepting something painful that cannot be changed
How does comparing the structure of the two texts deepen the reader’s understanding of the disaster?
A. The article provides factual context while Allende’s story explores the personal and emotional consequences of the same type of event.
B. Both texts focus mainly on explaining volcanic science.
C. The fiction selection gives more statistics than the news article.
D. The texts use identical structures to create identical effects.
A. The article provides factual context while Allende’s story explores the personal and emotional consequences of the same type of event.
Which statement best expresses a message developed through Allende’s portrayal of Rolf?
A. Professional distance always prevents people from caring about others.
B. Personal emotions make all reporting unreliable.
C. Reporters should avoid covering disasters.
D. Witnessing another person’s suffering can force someone to confront pain within himself.
D. Witnessing another person’s suffering can force someone to confront pain within himself.
Which statement best explains how the two authors shape readers’ understanding of the same type of tragedy differently?
A. The news account uses reporting to document what happened, while Allende uses literary techniques and Rolf’s emotional response to explore what the tragedy means to individuals.
B. The news article focuses on imagination, while Allende focuses only on verified statistics.
C. Both authors avoid discussing human emotion.
D. Both authors organize the texts primarily as arguments about volcanic safety.
A. The news account uses reporting to document what happened, while Allende uses literary techniques and Rolf’s emotional response to explore what the tragedy means to individuals.