ELA 10 - "By the Waters of Babylon," Pt2: Analyzing Theme (Pre-test)

Which statement best explains a difference between a character vs. self conflict and a character vs. character conflict? - A. A character vs. self conflict is an internal conflict, while a character vs. character conflict is an external conflict. B. A character vs. self conflict can only be inferred by the reader, while a character vs. character conflict is always explained to the reader. C. A character vs. self conflict occurs only during or after the climax, while a character vs. character conflict can occur anywhere in the plot. D. A character vs. self conflict is not outwardly expressed by the character, while a character vs. character conflict is.

A. A character vs. self conflict is an internal conflict, while a character vs. character conflict is an external conflict.

Which conflicts are examples of external conflicts? Select three options. - A. When my email password was denied for the third time, I realized that my account must have been hacked. B. Realizing that the law was not going to be vetoed, the congresswoman retired to her office to start working. C. Salim could not believe that the irrational fears that had plagued him throughout his childhood had returned. D. It was now or never for Zahra; she could speak up about what she had seen, or she could remain silent. E. Enzo and Luca glared at each other from across the cafeteria, knowing that they needed to talk about the game.

A. When my email password was denied for the third time, I realized that my account must have been hacked. -and- B. Realizing that the law was not going to be vetoed, the congresswoman retired to her office to start working. -and- E. Enzo and Luca glared at each other from across the cafeteria, knowing that they needed to talk about the game.

What is the most accurate definition of resolution? - A. a conclusion to the entire plot B. the explanation of the climax C. an event in the falling action D. the conflict and events combined

A. a conclusion to the entire plot

Which text evidence from the passage best supports the theme that technology can come with an environmental cost? Read the passage from "By the Waters of Babylon." I looked out of another window—the great vines of their bridges were mended and god-roads went east and west. Restless, restless, were the gods and always in motion! They burrowed tunnels under rivers—they flew in the air. With unbelievable tools they did giant works—no part of the earth was safe from them, for, if they wished for a thing, they summoned it from the other side of the world. And always, as they labored and rested, as they feasted and made love, there was a drum in their ears—the pulse of the giant city, beating and beating like a man's heart. - A. "I looked out of another window—the great vines of their bridges were mended and god-roads went east and west." B. "They burrowed tunnels under rivers—they flew in the air." C. "No part of the earth was safe from them, for, if they wished for a thing, they summoned it from the other side of the world." D. "There was a drum in their ears—the pulse of the giant city, beating and beating like a man's heart."

C. "No part of the earth was safe from them, for, if they wished for a thing, they summoned it from the other side of the world."

How does the dialogue support the theme of the passage? Read the passage from "By the Waters of Babylon." That is all of my story, for then I knew he was a man—I knew then that they had been men, neither gods nor demons. It is a great knowledge, hard to tell and believe. They were men—they went a dark road, but they were men. I had no fear after that—I had no fear going home, though twice I fought off the dogs and once I was hunted for two days by the Forest People. When I saw my father again, I prayed and was purified. He touched my lips and my breast, he said, "You went away a boy. You come back a man and a priest." I said, "Father, they were men! I have been in the Place of the Gods and seen it! Now slay me, if it is the law—but still I know they were men." - A. The dialogue supports the theme that wisdom comes from obeying one's parents, because it shows how the narrator has followed the same path as his father. B. The dialogue supports the theme that only the fittest survive, because it details how the narrator avoids being killed by the Forest People. C. The dialogue supports the theme that knowledge is gained by taking risks, because it illustrates that the narrator makes a discovery by breaking the rules. D. The dialogue supports the theme that learning the truth is not always easy, because it highlights that the narrator is upset by the idea that the gods were men.

C. The dialogue supports the theme that knowledge is gained by taking risks, because it illustrates that the narrator makes a discovery by breaking the rules.

Which excerpt from this passage best supports the theme that traditions and laws must adapt to new times? Read the passage from "By the Waters of Babylon." When I saw my father again, I prayed and was purified. He touched my lips and my breast, he said, "You went away a boy. You come back a man and a priest." I said, "Father, they were men! I have been in the Place of the Gods and seen it! Now slay me, if it is the law—but still I know they were men." He looked at me out of both eyes. He said, "The law is not always the same shape—you have done what you have done. I could not have done it my time, but you come after me. Tell!" - A. "When I saw my father again, I prayed and was purified" B. "You went away a boy. You came back a man and a priest" C. "Now slay me, if it is the law—but still I know they were men" D. "I could not have done it my time, but you come after me"

D. "I could not have done it my time, but you come after me"

Which sentence from the passage supports the theme that breaking the rules may be necessary for growth? Read the passage from "By the Waters of Babylon." I went north—I did not try to hide myself. When a god or a demon saw me, then I would die, but meanwhile I was no longer afraid. My hunger for knowledge burned in me—there was so much that I could not understand. After a while, I knew that my belly was hungry. I could have hunted for my meat, but I did not hunt. It is known that the gods did not hunt as we do—they got their food from enchanted boxes and jars. Sometimes these are still found in the Dead Places—once, when I was a child and foolish, I opened such a jar and tasted it and found the food sweet. But my father found out and punished me for it strictly, for, often, that food is death. Now, though, I had long gone past what was forbidden, and I entered the likeliest towers, looking for the food of the gods. - A. "When a god or a demon saw me, then I would die, but meanwhile I was no longer afraid." B. "My hunger for knowledge burned in me—there was so much that I could not understand." C. "But my father found out and punished me for it strictly, for, often, that food is death." D. "I had long gone past what was forbidden, and I entered the likeliest towers, looking for the food of the gods."

D. "I had long gone past what was forbidden, and I entered the likeliest towers, looking for the food of the gods."

How do conflicts throughout a story most affect the plot? - A. Conflicts help describe settings and characters in great detail. B. Conflicts are a way to share characters' thoughts and feelings. C. Conflicts are used to introduce the resolution of the story. D. Conflicts lead to more plot events as well as character reactions.

D. Conflicts lead to more plot events as well as character reactions.

Which theme is reflected in this passage? Read the passage from "By the Waters of Babylon." Why should I lie about it? I am a priest and the son of a priest. If there are spirits, as they say, in the small Dead Places near us, what spirits must there not be in that great Place of the Gods? And would not they wish to speak? After such long years? I know that I felt myself drawn as a fish is drawn on a line. I had stepped out of my body—I could see my body asleep in front of the cold fire, but it was not I. I was drawn to look out upon the city of the gods. - A. Sons must try to follow their fathers. B. Men strive to speak to the spirit world. C. Maturity is a result of being courageous. D. Spiritual experiences can lead to greater understanding.

D. Spiritual experiences can lead to greater understanding.

What do readers learn about the narrator based on his reaction to the conflict? Read the passage from "By the Waters of Babylon." Then I saw the dead god. He was sitting in his chair, by the window, in a room I had not entered before and, for the first moment, I thought that he was alive. Then I saw the skin on the back of his hand—it was like dry leather. The room was shut, hot and dry—no doubt that had kept him as he was. At first I was afraid to approach him—then the fear left me. He was sitting looking out over the city—he was dressed in the clothes of the gods. His age was neither young nor old—I could not tell his age. But there was wisdom in his face and great sadness. You could see that he would have not run away. He had sat at his window, watching his city die—then he himself had died. But it is better to lose one's life than one's spirit—and you could see from the face that his spirit had not been lost. I knew, that, if I touched him, he would fall into dust—and yet, there was something unconquered in the face. - A. The narrator thinks that the gods are weak for having died like humans. B. The narrator feels a greater fear than before, now that he has seen a dead god. C. The narrator would have run away if he had been in the place of the god. D. The narrator has learned to respect the gods, even in death, rather than fear them.

D. The narrator has learned to respect the gods, even in death, rather than fear them.