Question

read the selection in your student ebook and choose the best answer to each question.
la relación
by alvar núñez cabeza de vaca
1 read this excerpt from paragraph 3.
in that hour i would have welcomed death rather than see so many around me in such a condition.
in this excerpt, the author means that —
a he had visions of passing away
b he discovered the bodies of his peers
c he found his surroundings unbearable
d he abandoned expectations of survival
2 which word from paragraph 11 helps the reader understand what placate means?
f advanced
g friendship
h ingratiate
i pledge
3 from paragraph 11, the reader can infer that the author —
a was attempting to trick the karankawas
b shared an interest in crafting trinkets with others
c created a relationship based on exchanging goods
d was using a different approach than inspector solis
4 in paragraph 17, the author uses the phrase escaped as naked as they were born to —
f emphasize the heightened desperate circumstance of the crew
g contrast the hopeful attitude of everyone on board the barges
h highlight the dramatic shift in the experience of the sailors
j explain the reason sorrow was expressed for the crew

Explanation:

Question 1

The excerpt says the author would welcome death rather than see the condition of those around him. Option A is incorrect as it's not about visions of death. Option B is wrong as there's no mention of discovering bodies. Option D is incorrect as it's not about abandoning survival expectations. Option C is correct because the author finds the situation (surroundings) of others so bad that it's unbearable, making death seem better.

To understand "placate", we look for a synonym or related word. "Ingratiate" means to gain favor, which is similar to placating (calming or pleasing). "Advanced" is unrelated, "friendship" is a noun not a verb related to placating, and "pledge" is about promising, not placating. So "ingratiate" helps understand "placate".

From paragraph 11 (inferred context of "La Relación"), the author's actions likely involve exchanging goods (trinkets, etc.) to build a relationship. Option A is wrong as there's no trickery. Option B is incorrect as it's about exchanging, not shared interest in crafting. Option D is wrong as Inspector Solis isn't part of this text's context. Option C is correct as exchanging goods would create a relationship.

Answer:

C. he found his surroundings unbearable

Question 2