Character and Setting in "To Build a Fire," Part 1
Question 8 • KS-English Language Arts 9 CR
Read the paragraph.The young family was excited about their Southwest adventure. They planned to hike the remote canyon all afternoon. When they parked at the trail head and emerged from their air-conditioned car, the heat assaulted their senses. They squinted their eyes in surprise and remarked at the shimmering haze hovering over the canyon. A warm gust blew dusty air across the lot, and the would-be hikers turned their backs to the assault, blinking and coughing. Recovering quickly, the mother began applying sunscreen on her daughter’s warm shoulders. Her daughter looked up and asked, “May I have some water?”
Answer
A
The remote location of the canyon will complicate communication.
B
The warm temperatures will complicate the family’s hike.
C
The hazy horizon will cause problems with visibility.
D
The unclean conditions of the park will cause problems with hygiene.
Explanation
The family encounters intense heat as soon as they leave the air-conditioned car: they squint at the shimmering haze, turn away from a warm gust of dusty air, and the mother applies sunscreen. The daughter’s request for water also suggests the heat is affecting them. These details show that warm temperatures will complicate the family’s hike, making B the best answer.
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