"By the Waters of Babylon," Part 1: Analyzing Setting
Question 17 • CA-Common Core English Language Arts 10
Read the passage from "By the Waters of Babylon.”All the same, when I came to the Place of the Gods, I was afraid, afraid. The current of the great river is very strong—it gripped my raft with its hands. That was magic, for the river itself is wide and calm. I could feel evil spirits about me, I was swept down the stream. Never have I been so much alone—I tried to think of my knowledge, but it was a squirrel's heap of winter nuts. There was no strength in my knowledge any more and I felt small and naked as a new-hatched bird—alone upon the great river, the servant of the gods.
Answer
A
The setting makes him lose hope.
B
The setting makes him envious.
C
The setting makes him feel angry.
D
The setting makes him gain confidence.
Explanation
The narrator describes being afraid and alone as the river sweeps his raft along. He says his knowledge has no strength there and that he feels “small and naked,” showing that the setting makes him feel helpless and lose hope. It does not make him envious, angry, or more confident.
AI-written and checked against the verified answer.