Question

1. the firemens laughter and joking during the book burning primarily functions to--

a. express confidence
b. cover their discomfort and guilt
c. intimidate the woman
d. demonstrate professionalism

1. bradburys repeated comparison of books to birds and feathers suggests that books--

a. are fragile but lifeless
b. spread ideas uncontrollably
c. are dangerous weapons
d. are outdated objects

Explanation:

For question 12: This refers to the firemen in Fahrenheit 451; their joking during book burnings is a defense mechanism to hide their underlying unease about destroying knowledge.
For question 13: In Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, books are compared to birds/feathers to symbolize how ideas (like birds flying) can spread freely and cannot be contained or stopped by censorship.

Answer:

1. B. cover their discomfort and guilt
2. B. spread ideas uncontrollably