Question

20 there in the sand of the river, gouging it out with our thumbs. ...
we landed in wind - swept skagway. we joined the weltering mass,
clamoring over their outfits, waiting to climb the pass.
we tightened our girths and our pack - straps; we linked on the human chain,
struggling up to the summit, where every step was a pain.
25 gone was the joy of our faces, grim and haggard and pale;
the heedless mirth of the shipboard was changed to the care of the trail.
we flung ourselves in the struggle,
unit 6 week 1 assessment (gr. 6)
question 2 of 7
part a how do lines 23 - 30 contribute to the poem?
a. they suggest that the rumors of gold will turn out to be false.
b. they show that succeeding in the quest takes great determination.
c. they introduce a change in mood as the prospectors face a difficult trail.
d. they explain why the prospectors were willing to put up with so many hardships.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze the lines (23 - 30, from the visible text: actions like "tightened girths", "linked on the Human Chain", "struggling up... every step was a pain", and emotional shift from joy to grim/haggard). Option A is incorrect as there's no indication rumors are false. Option B: The actions show struggle, but the focus here is the emotional/atmosphere change, not just determination for success. Option C: The lines show a change from joy (shipboard) to grim, haggard, and care for the trail (difficulty), introducing a change in mood as they face hardship. Option D: The lines describe the hardship, not why they endure it. So the best fit is C.

Answer:

C. They introduce a change in mood as the prospectors face a difficult trail.