Question

theme of man vs. nature.
reinforces the theme does not reinforce the theme
a massive winter storm had bombarded the region last night...
:: city officials had canceled school for the day
:: the city below was a ghost town.
:: the city was eerily silent today, paralyzed by the storm.

Explanation:

The theme "Man vs. Nature" focuses on conflict or impact between humans and natural forces. We categorize each statement based on whether it shows this conflict/impact:

1. "A massive winter storm had bombarded the region last night..." directly describes a powerful natural force acting on human spaces, reinforcing the theme.
2. "city officials had canceled school for the day" is a human response to the natural storm, showing nature disrupting human routines, reinforcing the theme.
3. "The city below was a ghost town" shows the storm's effect on human activity, reinforcing the theme.
4. "The city was eerily silent today, paralyzed by the storm" explicitly links the natural storm to disruption of human life, reinforcing the theme.

Answer:

Reinforces the theme

• A massive winter storm had bombarded the region last night...
• city officials had canceled school for the day
• The city below was a ghost town.
• The city was eerily silent today, paralyzed by the storm.

Does not reinforce the theme

(No statements fit this category)