There Will Come Soft Rains

The description of the house’s morning routine in paragraphs 5 through 7 is important to the passage because it —"But no doors slammed, no carpets took the soft tread of rubber heels."

• gives readers a glimpse into exciting new technology

• creates a sense of mystery surrounding the lack of people

• establishes the setting for the events to come

• gives insights into the family’s social class

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Which two sentences from the story contain imagery?

• The offending dust, hair, or paper, seized in miniature steel jaws, was raced back to the burrows.

• The house tried to save itself.

• The reserve water supply which had filled baths and washed dishes for many quiet days was gone.

• It fed upon Picassos and Matisses in the upper halls, like delicacies, baking off the oily flesh, tenderly crisping the canvases into black shavings.

• But the fire was clever.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

In paragraphs 10–11, what does the description of the house’s exterior suggest has happened in the community? "The house stood alone in a city of rubble and ashes. This was the one house left standing. At night the ruined city gave off a radioactive glow which could be seen for miles."

• The city experienced a nuclear explosion, leaving only this house standing.

• The city was abandoned when the citizens moved to other cities to find work.

• The city boasts a new lighting system that will stop criminals from attacking.

• The city used this house as a model for the construction of future homes.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What does the word paranoia mean in paragraph 14?

• It is a systematic approach to home security.

• It is a logical concern about the trustworthiness of others.

• It is an irrational suspicion of the outside world.

• It is a lack of confidence in society.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

What does the dog’s death illustrate about how the house views the natural world?

• The natural world is an inconvenience that interferes with the house’s operation.

• The natural world provides a welcome balance to the monotony of the house’s daily routine.

• The natural world can no longer exist without the constant aid of technology.

• The natural world is the root of the house’s power, so the house relies on it to keep operating.

How does the tone of the embedded poem differ from the tone of the overall story?

• The poem seems lively, while the story seems lethargic.

• The poem seems intellectual, while the story seems commonplace.

• The poem seems indifferent, while the story seems engaged.

• The poem seems optimistic, while the story seems despondent.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

Which of the following can be considered a main theme of the story?

• Smart houses are the way of the future, so people should invest in the technology now.

• Human beings are pursuing technological advancement without thinking about the consequences.

• Programming our homes to do all of our daily tasks will free up more time to spend with our families.

• Improvements in technology will increase the class distinctions in our near future.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Select the answer choices that show figurative language.

• And the swallows circling with their shimmering sound;

• In the cellar, the incinerator glowed suddenly and a whirl of sparks leaped up the chimney.

• At ten o’clock the house began to die.

• Among the ruins, one wall stood alone.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

What type of figurative language is used in the line 'Robins will wear their feathery fire'?

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Personification

• Hyperbole

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

In the poem, what does the phrase 'tremulous white' describing the plum trees suggest?

• The trees are pure and beautiful against a world scarred by war.

• The trees are shaking or quivering against the destruction of war.

• The trees are tall and majestic and are untouched by the war around them.

• The trees are invisible against the sky and are destroyed by war.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.9