English 12B

Read the excerpt from "Strychnine in the Soup," which explains Amelia's and Cyril's emotions. From the moment he told Amelia that he had once met Dorothy Sayers, he never looked back. And one afternoon, calling and finding that Lady Bassett was away in the country, he took the girl's hand in his and told his love. For a while all was well. Amelia's reactions proved satisfactory to a degree. She checked up enthusiastically on his proposition. Falling into his arms, she admitted specifically that he was her Dream Man. Which option most accurately explains how the excerpt contributes to an understanding of the author's perspective?

"Dorothy Sayers" represents the desire for fame and fortune. This reference is used metaphorically to reflect the author's view that people are too easily swayed by their yearning for financially sound and successful futures.

Read the excerpt from "Strychnine in the Soup," which details Cyril's actions after he arrives at Barkley Towers, where the party is being held. As he had taken the five-seven express, stopping only at Gluebury Peveril, he arrived at Barkley Towers at an hour which enabled him not only to be on hand for dinner but also to take part in the life-giving distribution of cocktails which preceded the meal. Which option most accurately explains the purpose of calling the cocktails "life-giving"?

"Life-giving" is used ironically to emphasize the fact that many believe alcohol to help increase social skills, especially in stressful social situations.

Which excerpts from The War of the Worlds effectively use setting to provide a contrast to the horror of the plot?

An enormous hole had been made by the impact of the projectile, and the sand and gravel had been flung violently in every direction over the heath, forming heaps visible a mile and a half away. The heather was on fire eastward, and a thin blue smoke rose against the dawn. They shouted consolation and promises, and went off back to the town again to get help. One can imagine them, covered with sand, excited and disordered, running up the little street in the bright sunlight just as the shop folks were taking down their shutters and people were opening their bedroom windows.

"Strychnine in the Soup" involves many instances of humor that that helps develop satire in the story. Which option most accurately identifies an example of humor that lends itself to the satirical tone of the text?

And that book, Cyril saw with intense surprise and resentment, was none other than Horatio Slingsby's Strychnine in the Soup.

Much of the humor in "Strychnine in the Soup" stems from the author's use of implied meanings. Which options accurately identify examples of overstatements that create a humorous effect?

As Cyril and Lester Mapledurham stare at each other, it feels like "exchanging glances with Lady Bassett's charging rhinoceros." Lester Mapledurham stays up late reading, and the light under the closed door is referred to as "sinister evidence of reading in bed."

Read the excerpt from "Strychnine in the Soup," in which Mr. Mulliner explains the ending of a mystery novel to a bar patron who is anxious to know the conclusion of the story. "The plumber forgot his snake and had to go back for it," explained Mr. Mulliner. ''I trust that this revelation will prove sedative." "I feel a new man," said the Draught Stout. "I'd have lain awake worrying about that murder all night." Which option most accurately explains how a student who did not know the meaning of sedative could infer its definition?

The student could use the context clue "lain awake worrying" to infer that sedative refers to something that makes people worry.

Which option most clearly reflects the purpose of a subplot?

to provide support for the main plot

Read the excerpt from "Strychnine in the Soup," which examines the topic of bereavement after Cyril loses his book. The subject of bereavement is one that has often been treated powerfully by poets, who have run the whole gamut of the emotions while laying bare for us the agony of those who have lost parents, wives, children, gazelles, money, fame, dogs, cats, doves, sweethearts, horses, and even collar studs. Which option most accurately explains how the excerpt reflects the author's perspective on poets and their craft?

The author considers poetry a commendable profession, one that requires a wide range of writing skills, as is suggested by the phrase "who have run the whole gamut of the emotions while laying bare for us the agony."

Read the excerpt from "Strychnine in the Soup," in which Amelia describes her fear of what will happen if she secretly marries Cyril. "You don't know Mother. The moment she got that picture postcard, she would come over to wherever we were and put you across her knee and spank you with a hairbrush. I don't think I could ever feel the same toward you if I saw you lying across Mother's knee, being spanked with a hairbrush. It would spoil the honeymoon." Which option most accurately explains how this imagery contributes to the tone of the text?

The image of Lady Bassett spanking Cyril with a hairbrush is a violent one, and it causes the tone to turn ominous, as Cyril sees that he will be faced with the violent tendencies of Lady Basset

Read the excerpt from The War of the Worlds. Many people in Berkshire, Surrey, and Middlesex must have seen the fall of it, and, at most, have thought that another meteorite had descended. No one seems to have troubled to look for the fallen mass that night. Which options most accurately state the inferences that can be made based on the sentence "No one seems to have troubled to look for the fallen mass that night"? (Select all that apply.)

The narrator thinks the public is lazy and apathetic. The narrator views the public as complacent and unconcerned.

Read the excerpt from "Strychnine in the Soup," which explains Cyril's opinion of the books kept in the house library. Their literature was in keeping with their tastes. In the library there would be books on Bahai-ism, volumes in old leather of the Rural Encyclopedia, My Two Years in Sunny Ceylon, by the Rev. Orlo Waterbury ... but of anything that would interest Scotland Yard, of anything with a bit of blood in it and a corpse or two into which a fellow could get his teeth, not a trace. Which option most accurately explains the purpose of including the phrase "into which a fellow could get his teeth"?

The phrase adds dark humor to the idea of being totally absorbed in a murder mystery, with its second meaning implying actual violence.

In "Strychnine in the Soup," consider the final confrontation between Cyril and Lady Bassett, during which he refuses to return her book until she consents to his marriage to Amelia. Which option most accurately explains how this interaction represents a major moment for Cyril's character?

Until this point, Cyril has remained meek and submissive. However, his quick thinking and sly actions reveal that he possesses inner cunning and boldness, which he then finds himself embracing.

Which options accurately define the word irony?

the use of language that typically means the opposite of what is openly stated a literary technique used to place emphasis or to create humor

Which option most accurately defines the word sarcasm?

the use of mockery to impart contempt or criticism

Read the excerpt from The War of the Worlds. The thought of the confined creature was so dreadful to him that he forgot the heat and went forward to the cylinder to help turn. But luckily the dull radiation arrested him before he could burn his hands on the still-glowing metal. At that he stood irresolute for a moment, then turned, scrambled out of the pit, and set off running wildly into Woking. Which response most accurately explains how a student who did not know the meaning of irresolute could determine its meaning?

Irresolute has the same root as resolute, which means "firmly decided," and has the prefix ir-, which means "not."

Which option correctly identifies an element of narrative text structure that provides information about events that have occurred earlier?

flashback

Read the excerpt from The War of the Worlds. Most of the spectators had gathered in one or two groups—one a little crowd towards Woking, the other a knot of people in the direction of Chobham. Evidently they shared my mental conflict. There were few near me. One man I approached—he was, I perceived, a neighbour of mine, though I did not know his name—and accosted. But it was scarcely a time for articulate conversation. "What ugly brutes!" he said. "Good God! What ugly brutes!" He repeated this over and over again. "Did you see a man in the pit?" I said; but he made no answer to that. We became silent, and stood watching for a time side by side, deriving, I fancy, a certain comfort in one another's company. What context clues accurately point to the meaning of the verb accosted in the excerpt?

for articulate conversation One man I approached

Which options correctly identify elements in narrative text?

foreshadowing setting

Read the excerpt from The War of the Worlds. I was very glad to do as he asked, and so become one of the privileged spectators within the contemplated enclosure. I failed to find Lord Hilton at his house, but I was told he was expected from London by the six o'clock train from Waterloo; and as it was then about a quarter past five, I went home, had some tea, and walked up to the station to waylay him. Given the context, what is the most accurate definition of the word waylay?

to intercept

Read the excerpt from The War of the Worlds, in which the first Martian exits the spacecraft. A sudden chill came over me. There was a loud shriek from a woman behind. I half turned, keeping my eyes fixed upon the cylinder still, from which other tentacles were now projecting, and began pushing my way back from the edge of the pit. I saw astonishment giving place to horror on the faces of the people about me. ... I looked again at the cylinder, and ungovernable terror gripped me. I stood petrified and staring. What option accurately analyzes the impact of the narrator's thoughts and actions on the tone of the excerpt?

A fearful tone is created through the narrator's thoughts of horror and his glance at the cylinder.

Read the paragraph. The police had been trying to capture the leader of the arson ring for weeks. Having received the tip about the secret meeting place of the arsonists, the police surreptitiously wired the abandoned warehouse with microphones and video cameras in order to catch him discussing his next crime. Which options use the word surreptitiously as it is used in the paragraph?

Adam surreptitiously crept downstairs, hoping that his parents didn't notice his midnight escape. Reaching into the open bag next to her, the thief surreptitiously retrieved the leather wallet and stuffed it in her own purse before anyone could notice.

Which excerpt from The War of the Worlds effectively reveals how the author relates the climax of the narrative through the narrator's thoughts?

All this had happened with such swiftness that I had stood motionless, dumbfounded and dazzled by the flashes of light. Had that death swept through a full circle, it must inevitably have slain me in my surprise. But it passed and spared me, and left the night about me suddenly dark and unfamiliar.

Read the excerpt from "Strychnine in the Soup." After three rapid glasses he felt a better and braver man. And so lavishly did he irrigate the ensuring dinner with hock, sherry, champagne, old brandy, and port that at the conclusion of the meal he was pleased to find that his diffidence had completely vanished. He rose from the table feeling equal to asking a dozen Lady Bassetts for their consent to marry a dozen daughters. Which option uses the word diffidence as it is used in the excerpt?

As a child, Derek displayed much diffidence, but since entering high school and joining its football team, he has become a more confident person.

Much of the humor in "Strychnine in the Soup" stems from the author's use of implied meanings. Which option most accurately identifies an example of sarcasm?

Lady Bassett's comment that Lester would be likely to "insert a stout stick between its jaws"

Read the excerpt from "Strychnine in the Soup." "And, dash it," said Cyril indignantly, "this isn't the Victorian age. All that business of Mother's Consent went out twenty years ago." Which option uses the word indignantly as it is used in the excerpt?

Angry that his parents had refused to let him attend the all-night party, Mark stormed to his bedroom and slammed the door indignantly.

Read the sentence from The War of the Worlds. I turned, and as I did so the screw must have come out, for the lid of the cylinder fell upon the gravel with a ringing concussion. Which option is the accurate synonym of the word concussion as it is used in the sentence?

crash

Read the excerpt from The War of the Worlds, in which the crowd begins to disperse just before the first Martian exits the cylinder. When I returned to the common the sun was setting. Scattered groups were hurrying from the direction of Woking, and one or two persons were returning. The crowd about the pit had increased, and stood out black against the lemon yellow of the sky—a couple of hundred people, perhaps. There were raised voices, and some sort of struggle appeared to be going on about the pit. Strange imaginings passed through my mind. As I drew nearer I heard Stent's voice: "Keep back! Keep back!" A boy came running towards me. "It's a-movin'," he said to me as he passed; 'a-screwin' and a-screwin' out. I don't like it. I'm a-goin' 'ome, I am." What options accurately depict the impact of the boy's words on pacing within the excerpt? (Select all that apply.)

The boy's words serve to speed up the pacing of the plot because, as he is talking to the narrator, he is running past him to get away. The plot's forward movement is slow at the beginning of the excerpt because there is little action. The boy's words increase the tension and counteract that lag.

Read the excerpt from The War of the Worlds. I was at home at that hour and writing in my study; and although my French windows face towards Ottershaw and the blind was up (for I loved in those days to look up at the night sky), I saw nothing of it. Yet this strangest of all things that ever came to earth from outer space must have fallen while I was sitting there, visible to me had I only looked up as it passed. Some of those who saw its flight say it travelled with a hissing sound. I myself heard nothing of that. Many people in Berkshire, Surrey, and Middlesex must have seen the fall of it, and, at most, have thought that another meteorite had descended. No one seems to have troubled to look for the fallen mass that night. Which option accurately explains the use of flashback in this excerpt?

The flashback increases suspense. For example, when the narrator claims that he "loved in those days to look up at the night sky," he implies that he does not do that in the present but does not explain why.

Read the excerpt from The War of the Worlds. After the glimpse I had had of the Martians emerging from the cylinder in which they had come to the earth from their planet, a kind of fascination paralysed my actions. I remained standing knee-deep in the heather, staring at the mound that hid them. I was a battleground of fear and curiosity. What options most accurately analyze what the narrator achieves by using the metaphor in the sentence "I was a battleground of fear and curiosity"? (Select all that apply.)

By comparing himself to a battleground, the narrator shows that his turmoil is extreme, and that the events that have generated such strong feelings are extremely serious and violent. By focusing on his state of inaction, the narrator uses both setting and plot to strengthen the metaphor's impact on the meaning of the text. He is frozen in the heather, just as a stealthy soldier must be quiet and hidden on a battlefield.

Read the excerpt from "Strychnine in the Soup," which describes how Cyril and Amelia fall in love. The two twin souls gazed into each other's eyes. There is no surer foundation for a beautiful friendship than a mutual taste in literature. Which option most accurately identifies the author's perspective on relationships based on the excerpt's sarcasm?

The author respects people who balance their appreciation of a person's physical qualities with the individual's personality.

Read the excerpt from The War of the Worlds. A large portion of the cylinder had been uncovered, though its lower end was still embedded. As soon as Ogilvy saw me among the staring crowd on the edge of the pit he called to me to come down, and asked me if I would mind going over to see Lord Hilton, the lord of the manor. The growing crowd, he said, was becoming a serious impediment to their excavations, especially the boys. Which context clues effectively help indicate the meaning of the word excavations as it is used in the excerpt? (Select all that apply.)

edge of the pit was still embedded

Which options most accurately explain how the author of The War of the Worlds uses the crash landing of the spaceship to introduce Ogilvy's character?

Ogilvy tries to help those inside the cylinder. His actions characterize him as compassionate. Ogilvy goes to the site of the crash to explore the area the morning after seeing the shooting star. Once there, he examines the cylinder. His actions characterize him as curious.

Read the excerpt from "Strychnine in the Soup," which relates a conversation between Lester Mapledurham and Cyril. "Give me those jewels!" said Lester Mapledurham. Cyril was at a loss. "Jewels?" "Jewels!" "What jewels?" Lester Mapledurham tossed his head impatiently. ''I don't know what jewels. They may be the Wingham Pearls or the Bassett Diamonds or the Simpson Sapphires. I'm not sure which room it was I saw you coming out of." Which option most accurately identifies the author's perspective as it is revealed in the character of Lester?

The author presents Lester as a noble symbol of the author's respect for men who take pride in themselves and hold others to the same standards.

Read the excerpt from "Strychnine in the Soup." The subject of bereavement is one that has often been treated powerfully by poets, who have run the whole gamut of the emotions while laying bare for us the agony of those who have lost parents, wives, children, gazelles, money, fame, dogs, cats, doves, sweethearts, horses, and even collar studs. But no poet has yet treated of the most poignant bereavement of all—that of the man halfway through a detective story who finds himself at bedtime without the book. Based on its use in the excerpt, what is the meaning of poignant?

extremely moving

Read the excerpt from The War of the Worlds, in which the narrator reflects for the first time on the effects of the Martian attack. It came to me that I was upon this dark common, helpless, unprotected, and alone. Suddenly, like a thing falling upon me from without, came—fear. Which options most accurately analyze how the author structures this part of the text to develop elements of the narrative? (Select all that apply.)

By placing this revelation after instead of during the first attack by the Martians, the author indicates that further complications in the plot are in store. By placing this revelation after instead of during the first attack by the Martians, the author shows that the narrator's fear is new to him, which provides insight into the narrator's character.

Read the excerpt from The War of the Worlds. Beyond the pit stood the little wedge of people with the white flag at its apex, arrested by these phenomena, a little knot of small vertical black shapes upon the black ground. As the green smoke arose, their faces flashed out pallid green, and faded again as it vanished. Then slowly the hissing passed into a humming, into a long, loud, droning noise. Slowly a humped shape rose out of the pit, and the ghost of a beam of light seemed to flicker out from it. Forthwith flashes of actual flame, a bright glare leaping from one to another, sprang from the scattered group of men. It was as if some invisible jet impinged upon them and flashed into white flame. It was as if each man were suddenly and momentarily turned to fire. Then, by the light of their own destruction, I saw them staggering and falling, and their supporters turning to run. Which options accurately describe how the author develops the plot in the excerpt? (Select all that apply.)

The narrator does not react at first as he watches the men with the flag and hears the sounds in the pit. His inaction keeps the tension steadily increasing as the narrator comes to realize the men are being killed. The narrator is attentive to the men with the white flag and the humming sound, so he immediately understands what has happened when the men are killed, increasing the tension in the plot.

Read the excerpt from "Strychnine in the Soup," which describes Cyril's behavior at the party. After three rapid glasses he felt a better and braver man. And so lavishly did he irrigate the ensuring dinner with hock, sherry, champagne, old brandy, and port that at the conclusion of the meal he was pleased to find that his diffidence had completely vanished. He rose from the table feeling equal to asking a dozen Lady Bassetts for their consent to marry a dozen daughters. Which option most accurately explains how the author's use of words with multiple meanings contributes to an understanding of Cyril's character?

The word "equal" is often used to describe two things that are the same in size or quantity, but its use in this excerpt means being on the same level as something. It is clear from the text that Cyril feels he is finally equal to the status and class of Lady Bassett, despite her dislike of him.

Read the excerpt from The War of the Worlds, in which the narrator describes the first sighting of one of the Martians. Those who have never seen a living Martian can scarcely imagine the strange horror of its appearance. The peculiar V-shaped mouth with its pointed upper lip, the absence of brow ridges, the absence of a chin beneath the wedgelike lower lip, the incessant quivering of this mouth, the Gorgon groups of tentacles, the tumultuous breathing of the lungs in a strange atmosphere, the evident heaviness and painfulness of movement due to the greater gravitational energy of the earth—above all, the extraordinary intensity of the immense eyes—were at once vital, intense, inhuman, crippled and monstrous. There was something fungoid in the oily brown skin, something in the clumsy deliberation of the tedious movements unspeakably nasty. Even at this first encounter, this first glimpse, I was overcome with disgust and dread. Which options accurately analyze the purpose of this lengthy description? (Select all that apply.)

The detailed description characterizes the narrator as a trustworthy source of information about the Martians. The detailed description shows the striking similarities between humans and Martians. Wrong The detailed description increases suspense because the narrator's dread implies something bad is going to happen.

Read the excerpt from The War of the Worlds, which includes a description of setting shortly after the Martians' first deadly attack. The undulating common seemed now dark almost to blackness, except where its roadways lay grey and pale under the deep blue sky of the early night. It was dark, and suddenly void of men. Overhead the stars were mustering, and in the west the sky was still a pale, bright, almost greenish blue. The tops of the pine trees and the roofs of Horsell came out sharp and black against the western afterglow. The Martians and their appliances were altogether invisible, save for that thin mast upon which their restless mirror wobbled. Patches of bush and isolated trees here and there smoked and glowed still, and the houses towards Woking station were sending up spires of flame into the stillness of the evening air. What options accurately explain how the narrator's feelings are reflected in the setting? (Select all that apply.)

The setting details help to reveal the narrator's feelings of both relief and apprehension. For example, although the Martians are not seen any longer, the remnants of the attack are still quite visible, and it's not clear whether the danger is over. The narrator is distressed by the deceptive quiet of the evening, as reflected in the setting details. For example, he still sees smoke from the widespread destruction.