Question 1

1. Which of the following answer choices BEST describes the structure of the story and its effect?

Accepted Answer

The story follows a chronological structure, as noted by the voice clock that keeps listing the time as the house goes through its day. The chronological structure creates an orderly effect at first, but as you read on, you realize things are not as orderly as they initially seemed.

Answer

The story follows a traditional plot diagram structure— exposition, conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution— so that the story is commonplace and somewhat predictable.

Answer

The story is mostly made up of lengthy, drawn out paragraphs that serve to create building tension within the reader.

Answer

The story has no discernable structure and seems somewhat disorganized; therefore, the reader becomes disoriented and loses track of the plotline.

Question 2

2.  Which of the following DOES NOT describe a theme in the story?

Accepted Answer

The dangers of reckless, thoughtless industrialization and development

Answer

The destructive nature of war

Answer

The over-reliance of humans on modern technology

Answer

The indifference of nature toward humanity

Question 3

3. All of the following words describe the tone of the story EXCEPT…

Accepted Answer

sentimental

Answer

cautionary

Answer

solemn

Answer

gloomy

Question 4

4. Read the following excerpt from the story.

And one voice, with sublime disregard for the situation, read poetry aloud all in the fiery study, until all the film spools burned, until all the wires withered and the circuits cracked.

Which of the following answer choices could BEST replace “sublime” in the above excerpt without changing the meaning of the sentence?

Accepted Answer

awe-inspiring or beautiful

Answer

ordinary or boring

Answer

alarming or concerning

Answer

disrespectful or inappropriate

Question 5

5. Which of the following answer choices BEST describes the house in the story?

Accepted Answer

The house, which serves as the only actual character in the story, is insistent and paranoid.

Answer

The house, which is the only setting in the story, shows the advanced technology that the USA will be utilizing in the near future.

Answer

The house, which fills the role of the family members in their absence, is needlessly tidy and obsessive.

Answer

The house, which functions as a metaphor for man’s overbearing control over nature, is oppressive and cruel.

Question 6

6. Read the following excerpt from the story.

Until this day, how well the house had kept its peace. How carefully it had inquired, 'Who goes there? What's the password?" and, getting no answer from the only foxes and whining cats, it had shut up its windows and drawn shades in an old-maidenly preoccupation with self-protection which bordered on a mechanical paranoia.

It quivered at each sound, the house did. If a sparrow brushed a window, the shade snapped up. The bird, startled, flew off! No, not even a bird must touch the house!

Which of the following devices is most prominent in the above excerpt?

Accepted Answer

irony

Answer

simile

Answer

metaphor

Answer

denotation

Question 7

7. The reader can  infer  that all of the following are true of the dog EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

It was part of a family that lived in another house.

Answer

It is disposed of by the house in the incinerator.

Answer

It dies of radiation poison and starvation.

Answer

It searches for its owners.

Question 8

8. The reader can  infer  that the family’s life was...

Accepted Answer

Orderly and carefree

Answer

Private and reclusive

Answer

Busy and complex

Answer

Dull and restricted

Question 9

9. What can the reader  infer  about about Mrs. McClellan based on her favorite poem?

Accepted Answer

She thought about the potential destruction of mankind.

Answer

She was a poet herself and enjoyed writing nature poems.

Answer

She expected nature to suffer because of the unintended consequences of technology.

Answer

She valued human achievements more than natural beauty.

Question 10

10. All of the following are examples of how the house is  personified  EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

“The fire burst the house and let it slam flat down, puffing out skirts of spark and smoke.”

Answer

“At ten o'clock the house began to die.”

Answer

“It quivered at each sound, the house did.”

Answer

“Until this day, how well the house had kept its peace.”

Question 11

11. When the narrator says that the family’s images “burned on wood in one  titanic  instant,” the writer is relying on what literary device  to convey meaning?

Accepted Answer

allusion

Answer

oxymoron

Answer

simile

Answer

imagery

Question 12

12. Which of the following is used  figuratively ?

Accepted Answer

“...its bared skeleton cringing from the heat...”

Answer

“In the cellar, the incinerator glowed suddenly...”

Answer

“It [the dog] sniffed the air and scratched the kitchen door.”

Answer

“The sun came out from behind the rain.”

Question 13

13. Based on this story, Bradbury most likely believes that

Accepted Answer

people should recognize the beauty of nature and treat it with care for the future.

Answer

the future will offer unparalleled benefits to humans in the form of technology.

Answer

despite technology’s sophistication, it cannot withstand the power of nature.

Answer

technology’s ability to persist with its programming is a model for humans to follow when faced with difficult circumstances.

Question 14

14. The  title , “There Will Come Soft Rains,” is evidenced in the story in all of the following ways EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

The naturally-occuring rain that puts out the fire in the house.

Answer

The weather box on the front door that announces rain.

Answer

The sprinkler rain that fills the garden.

Answer

The first line in the poem that is read by the house.

Question 15

15. The reader can  infer that the human beings referenced in the story

Accepted Answer

have all been destroyed in a nuclear war.

Answer

have all moved away after a nuclear war.

Answer

have all succumbed to a pandemic.

Answer

have all been destroyed by the automated house.

Question 16

16. Which  detail best supports the inference made in question 15?

Accepted Answer

“The five spots of paint - the man, the woman, the children, the ball - remained. The rest was a thin charcoaled layer.”

Answer

Delicately sensing decay at last, the regiments of mice hummed out as softly as blown grey leaves in an electrical wind.”

Answer

“The dog, once huge and fleshy, but now gone to bone and covered with sores, moved in and through the house, tracking mud.”

Answer

“The empty chairs faced each other between the silent wall, and the music played.”

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