Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed Review

What is Harry Bittering's main emotion in the first half of the story?

• Curious about the Martians

• Angry at his wife

• Afraid of being changed by Mars

• Annoyed by the other Earth people

Which event prevents the family's return to Earth?

• The family is happy living on Mars.

• The return ticket is too expensive.

• The rocket Harry builds won't work.

• An atomic world war breaks out on Earth.

In the story, what is Mr. Bittering's first clue that his world is changing?

• His children want to adopt Martian names.

• His peach tree has strange new blossoms

• His wife's and children's eyes turn gold.

• His neighbors calmly accept all the changes.

What TWO things does Mr. Bittering do to cope with his fears about living on Mars?

• He investigates Martian ruins.

• He tries to build a rocket to take his family back to Earth.

• He focuses on his farm work and other chores.

• He encourages his family to change their names and act like Martians.

Which sentence best describes the Bittering family at the end of the story?

• They are completely changed into Martians and have no memory of their past selves.

• They are resigned to live on Mars, but are unhappy about it.

• They look different but still think and act like Earth people.

• They are eager to return to Earth now that the war is over.

Read the text then answer the question.

"The wind blew as if to flake away their identities. At any moment, the Martian air might draw his soul from him, as marrow comes from a white bone."

According to this sentence, what does the constantly blowing wind on Mars most likely represent?

• the power of the environment to completely change Earth people

• the sadness that Harry felt

• the very hot weather on Mars

• the destruction of the Earth settlement on Mars

Which of the following best states a major theme in "Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed"?

• Since we have limited resources on Earth, we should try to settle on other planets.

• Humans are generally open-minded and peaceful when they encounter the unknown.

• Though people often fear and resist it, change is unavoidable in the end.

• Far-off worlds can be anything people imagine them to be.

Read the text, then answer the question.

"Dark people. Yellow eyes. Martians. Very friendly...I'm sure our relations will be most friendly with them, sir."

According to this text, what is the attitude of the lieutenant who has recently arrived on Mars at the end of the story?

• He finds the environment on Mars unappealing.

• He likes the Martians and believes they are peaceful.

• He suspects the Martians had something to do with the disappearance of the Earth people.

• He feels excited about the new settlement the captain is planning.

Read this excerpt: "Summer burned the canals dry. Summer moved like flame upon the meadows. In the empty Earth settlement, the houses flaked and peeled. Rubber tires, upon which the children had swung in backyards hung suspended like stopped clock pendulums in the blazing air."

What is the literal meaning of the underlined sentence in this excerpt?

• the rubber tire swings are peeling

• the rubber tire swings drift in the breeze

• the rubber tire swings are no longer used

• the rubber tire swings are too hot to play on

Read this excerpt: "Summer burned the canals dry. Summer moved like flame upon the meadows. In the empty Earth settlement, the houses flaked and peeled. Rubber tires, upon which the children had swung in backyards hung suspended like stopped clock pendulums in the blazing air."

How does the use of figurative language add to the literal meaning of the underlined sentence?

• It suggests fear for the safety of the children.

• It conveys a sense of nostalgia for life on Earth.

• It expresses loss while suggesting the power of Mars.

• It suggests dread that the settlers will return to the settlement.