Writing an Analysis of "To Build a Fire," Part 3 — Unit test

Question 12 • English 9 A

Which detail from "To Build a Fire" best supports the idea that most of the real Yukon prospectors had little experience for surviving in cold weather?

Answer

It happened. It was his own fault or, rather, his mistake. He should not have built the fire under the spruce tree.

There was the fire, snapping and crackling and promising life with every dancing flame.

He would have to build a fire and dry out his footgear. This was imperative at that low temperature—he knew that much.

The flame he got by touching a match to a small shred of birch bark that he took from his pocket.

Explanation

The detail in A shows that the prospector makes a basic mistake while trying to keep warm: he builds his fire under a spruce tree, and the falling snow puts it out. His reflection that he should not have built it there highlights his lack of practical experience surviving in the cold. Choice C shows that he does know he needs to dry his footgear, so it does not support inexperience as clearly.

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Writing an Analysis of "To Build a Fire," Part 3