"By the Waters of Babylon," Part 2: Analyzing Theme — Quiz
Question 1 • English Language Arts 10
Read the passage from "By the Waters of Babylon.” When I woke, the sun was low. Looking down from where I lay, I saw a dog sitting on his haunches. His tongue was hanging out of his mouth; he looked as if he were laughing. He was a big dog, with a gray-brown coat, as big as a wolf. I sprang up and shouted at him but he did not move—he just sat there as if he were laughing. I did not like that. When I reached for a stone to throw, he moved swiftly out of the way of the stone. He was not afraid of me; he looked at me as if I were meat. No doubt I could have killed him with an arrow, but I did not know if there were others. Moreover, night was falling. How does the narrator react to the conflict in this passage?
Answer
A
The narrator remains calm and levelheaded as he tries to get away from the dog.
B
The narrator becomes paranoid and fearful of the dog, so he picks up his arrows.
C
The narrator feels embarrassed because the dog seems to be mocking him.
D
The narrator expresses sympathy toward the dog because of its living situation.
Explanation
The narrator recognizes that the dog may be dangerous, but he thinks through the risks before acting: he considers killing it with an arrow, wonders whether there are other dogs, and notes that night is falling. These details show caution and levelheadedness rather than panic. A is correct: he remains calm as he responds to the danger. The passage does not say that he picks up his arrows, feels embarrassed, or feels sympathy for the dog.
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