Act Reading Prose Fiction

The narrator’s point of view is that of:

• an omniscient observer.

• a member of the ship’s crew.

• another ship’s captain.

• a person watching from shore.

It can reasonably be inferred from the passage that the crew most likely did not play dominoes because:

• they were simply too tired.

• they did not get along well enough to play a game together.

• the Director would not have approved of game-playing.

• the sea was too rough.

As it is used in line 32 of the passage, the word placid most nearly means:

• calm.

• straightforward.

• nervous.

• playful.

According to the passage, how was Marlow unlike typical seamen?

• Marlow was content to stay in one place, while most men of the sea prefer to roam and explore.

• Marlow believed his home was the ship, while most sailors believed their home was the sea.

• Marlow found the sea inexplicable and full of secrets, while a typical sailor understands the mysteries of the water.

• Marlow wove complicated and ambigous tales, while most seamen prefer to tell simple and clear tales

It can be reasonably inferred from the passage that Marlow is about to tell a story:

• that explains why he is now a freshwater sailor.

• that is short and funny, like most of the stories he tells.

• that had a profound effect on him.

• about a man that he saved from drowning in a river.

According to the passage, how did the men aboard the Nellie feel about the Director?

• They respected and trusted him.

• They felt that he was lazy.

• They despised and rejected him.

• They thought that he was gloomy.

The main point of the second paragraph is:

• The ship’s captain is better suited to be an aviator than a sailor.

• The captain is unaware of the great amount of hard work that lies ahead of him.

• An unqualified and inexperienced businessman is serving as the captain of the Nellie.

• The narrator and other crew members greatly respect their ship's captain

The narrator’s perspective in the passage is best described as:

• A) First-person limited

• B) Third-person omniscient

• C) Second-person

• D) Third-person limited

What can be inferred about the protagonist’s feelings towards the sea?

• A) The protagonist is indifferent to the sea.

• B) The protagonist is fearful of the sea.

• C) The protagonist is fascinated by the sea.

• D) The protagonist is angry at the sea.

In the context of the passage, the word 'melancholy' most nearly means:

• A) Joyful

• B) Sad

• C) Confused

• D) Excited