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.  

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” 

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

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.”

 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.  

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

• 1. Expanding 

• 1. Transporting

• 1. Drilling 

• 1. Sealing 

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.  

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. 

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. 

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.