Question

to build a fire1. what does the word intangible mean as it is used in the passage?a. not able to be travelledb. not able to be eatenc. not able to be completely frozend. not able to be clearly understood2. read the sentences from the passage.“he plunged in among the big spruce trees. the trail was faint. a foot of snow had fallen since the last sled had passed over, and he was glad he was without a sled, travelling light.”what emotion is conveyed through the use of the word plunged?a. doubtb. determinationc. evasivenessd. hatred3. what is the best summary of the passage?a. a man walks the yukon trail even though the weather is unpromising and very cold. he is new to the land and has no imagination, so he sees no significance in his journey. the man is followed by a large dog.b. a man turns off the yukon trail onto a snowy trail that is seldom used. the man fails to understand the significance of the intense cold. the dog following the man recognizes the absolute need for shelter and warmth.c. a man is walking on the yukon trail on a grey day at nine oclock in the morning. he has not travelled this way before, but he does realize the necessity of trying to stay warm. a dog accompanies him.d. a man and a dog on the main yukon trail turn onto a smaller trail. the man realizes that the temperature is below freezing but can imagine no significance to his journey. the man carries biscuits inside his shirt for their lunch.4. how does the authors decision to have the protagonist remain nameless affect the mood of the passage?a. it creates a feeling of emotional detachment from the man.b. it creates a feeling of respect toward the man.c. it creates a feeling of understated anger toward the man.d. it creates a feeling of warm concern for the man.5. which sentence best describes the relationship of the setting to the plot in the passage?a. the setting makes it easy for the protagonist to solve a problem.b. the setting is an important element only at the beginning.c. the setting contributes little to the rising action.d. the setting is the main source of the conflict.

Explanation:

1. "Intangible" refers to something that cannot be grasped or clearly understood, which matches option D.
2. "Plunged" in the context of entering the trees shows the man's resolute, determined action, so option B is correct.
3. The core of To Build a Fire is the man's ignorance of the cold's danger while the dog senses the need for warmth, which is captured in option B.
4. Making the protagonist nameless distances readers, creating emotional detachment, which is option A.
5. The extreme Yukon cold is the central conflict driving the plot, so option D is right.

Answer:

1. D. not able to be clearly understood
2. B. determination
3. B. A man turns off the Yukon trail onto a snowy trail that is seldom used. The man fails to understand the significance of the intense cold. The dog following the man recognizes the absolute need for shelter and warmth.
4. A. It creates a feeling of emotional detachment from the man.
5. D. The setting is the main source of the conflict.