Excerpt from "The Town Underground" by Claudia Cangilla McAdam

What are two ways the phrase “a curtain of darkness” in paragraph 1 impacts meaning in the passage?

• 1. The words highlight the depth of affection Willie’s father has for his son. 

• The words highlight that the campers were unable to rest comfortably at night.

• 1. The words help explain why the men heard Willie’s approach before they saw him. 

• The words suggest the campers were fearful so far from the city.

• 1. The words help explain why Willie’s father is so worried.  

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Which two details from the passage best support the idea that mining in South Australia in the early 1900s was challenging?

• 1. “A soft clatter of pebbles” (Paragraph 3)

• 1. “Only a handful of men worked” (paragraph 7)

• 1. “Lack of housing was a big problem” (paragraph 8)

• 1. “The climate was brutal” (paragraph 8)

• 1. “Abandoned those craters” 

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The following item has two parts.   Answer Part A and then answer Part B. 

3A. What is the meaning of the word spacious in paragraph 13? 

• A. cool

• B. fancy

• C. temporary 

• D. large

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Which two sentences from paragraph 13 best help the reader determine the meaning of spacious?  

• 1.  “(Some even have indoor swimming pools!)”

• 1. “Each dugout has separate rooms with electricity and piped-in water.”

• 1. “This water comes from an underground source about 15 miles north of town.”

• 1. “But money is saved on heating and air conditioning because there isn’t any!”

• 1. “Living under the earth keeps the temperature around a comfortable 75 degree Fahrenheit year round.”

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 How do paragraphs 1-7 mainly contribute to the overall structure of the passage? 

• 1. They introduce the idea that Coober Pedy was already famous for another valuable resource before coming famous for opals.

• 1. They introduce the remoteness of the prospecting camps in Coober Pedy.

• 1. They introduce the methods used to mine in the sandy desert around Coober Pedy.

• 1. They introduce the event that let to Coober Pedy becoming famous for opals.  

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What is the meaning of boring as it is used in paragraph 15?

• 1. Expanding 

• 1. Transporting

• 1. Drilling 

• 1. Sealing 

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Which inference is best supported by paragraphs 10-12? 

• 1. Opal prospects cared little for the land once they were finished with their work. 

• 1. Many of the terms used by the townspeople are based on the language of those who moved to the area to search for opals. 

• 1. Many of the people who live in Coober Pedy come from generations of opal miners.

• 1. Australian Aborigines are disappointed by the way settlers from all over the world have treated the native landscape.  

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How does paragraph 18 contribute to the overall structure of the passage? 

• 1. It mentions the existence of a main street to show that the town has grown over time. 

• 1. It shows that the boy mentioned in the first few paragraphs is important to the history of the town. 

• 1. It develops the idea that opals were discovered accidentally, as hinted at in the first paragraph. 

• 1. It emphasizes the idea that the town initially became famous for opals, but now underground living is what makes it special. 

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Which two factors caused the people who moved to Coober Pedy to build underground?

• 1. There was a need to escape from the heat.

• 1. They needed protection from local tribes.

• 1. The landscape was unattractive to look at. 

• 1. There was limited space where they were mining.

• 1. There was a lack of wood in the area. 

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9A. What is the author’s main purpose in writing the passage?

• 1. To establish an interesting town in Australia as an enjoyable place to visit

• 1. To teach creative ways to adapt to and overcome challenges in the environment

• 1. To inspire the reader with a story of a boy who made an interesting discovery

• 1. To describe a unique town in Australia and provide information about its history. 

  
  

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