The Story Of An Eyewitness - Final Test (H, G, F, E)

"The Story of an Eyewitness" is an example of creative informational nonfiction because it combines elements of creativity and storytelling with factual information. The text presents a firsthand account of an event, the San Francisco earthquake of 1906, in a narrative format that engages the reader. However, it also aims to inform and provide accurate details about the event, making it a blend of creativity and informative nonfiction.

The correct answer suggests that the people of San Francisco acted kindly and courteously during the night of terror because they were concerned about the needs of others and understood their fear since they were experiencing the same fear themselves. This implies that in times of crisis, people often come together and show empathy towards others, prioritizing their well-being and offering support.

The word "dear" means valuable or precious. In the context of the sentence, it suggests that people carried things that were important or valuable to them.

In this sentence, Jack is describing a group of people who fled with as much as they could carry. The word "refugees" fits perfectly in this context as it refers to individuals who have been forced to leave their homes due to war, persecution, or natural disasters. These individuals often carry their belongings with them as they seek safety and shelter in a new place. Therefore, "refugees" is the correct answer.

"The Story of an Eyewitness" is organized in chronological order/sequence. This means that the events in the text are presented in the order in which they occurred. The author starts by describing the scene before the earthquake, then progresses to the earthquake itself, and finally discusses the aftermath and recovery efforts. The use of chronological order helps the reader understand the progression of events and the impact of the earthquake on the city.

The primary author's purpose for "The Story of an Eyewitness" is to inform. This can be inferred from the title itself, as well as the fact that the author is recounting an eyewitness account of an event. The main goal of the author is to provide factual information and details about the event, rather than trying to persuade or entertain the reader. The author's intention is to educate and enlighten the audience about what happened during the event.

The correct answer is "compelled". This word means to force or oblige someone to do something. In the given sentence, it indicates that thousands of people were forced or obliged to abandon their possessions against their will. The other options, "flanked", "surmounted", and "enumerated", do not convey the same meaning and are not appropriate in the context of the sentence.

During the tragedy, Jack observed that the people of San Francisco behaved in a kind and courteous manner, helping each other to safety. This suggests that instead of panicking or being solely concerned with their own well-being, the people prioritized the safety of others and displayed acts of kindness and support.

Jack London reported that the smoke from the conflagration after the earthquake could be seen one hundred miles away. A conflagration refers to a large and destructive fire that causes extensive damage. In this context, it suggests that the earthquake resulted in a massive fire, producing smoke that was visible from a considerable distance.

The buildings were dynamited to stop the spread of the fire. By demolishing the buildings, the fire was prevented from spreading further and causing more damage. This extreme measure was taken to contain the fire and protect other buildings in the vicinity.

Jack could not give an enumeration of all the people who were killed because many bodies were burned in the fire. This means that Jack was unable to provide a detailed list or count of the individuals who lost their lives due to the fire because some of the bodies were destroyed.

The phrase "proved that all the clever contrivances of modern life cannot protect us from the forces of nature" suggests that the earthquake and fire demonstrated that modern inventions and devices are ineffective in safeguarding us against natural disasters. The word "contrivances" refers to these clever inventions and implies that they are unable to provide the desired protection.

In this analogy, London is comparing the city to a shipwreck and its people to the flotsam that covers the waves when a great ship goes down. Flotsam refers to the debris or wreckage that floats on the surface of the water after a shipwreck. By using this comparison, London is suggesting that the city and its people are in a state of chaos and destruction, similar to a shipwreck, with scattered and disorganized elements floating around aimlessly.

The greatest damage in San Francisco was caused by the fires. After the earthquake in 1906, numerous fires broke out and quickly spread due to broken gas lines and a lack of water to fight them. The fires raged for several days, destroying a large portion of the city and contributing to the widespread devastation.

"The smoke of San Francisco burning was a lurid tower" is an example of metaphor because it compares the smoke to a tower without using "like" or "as". It suggests that the smoke is towering and ominous, emphasizing the intensity and impact of the fire.

In order to escape from the hills, people had to surmount them. "Surmount" means to overcome or conquer a difficulty or obstacle, which in this case refers to physically climbing or scaling the hills to reach safety.

The given sentence creates a vivid sensory experience by using descriptive words such as "roaring," "crashing," and "detonations." This appeals to the reader's senses of hearing and creates a mental image of a chaotic and destructive scene. This use of descriptive language is known as imagery, as it paints a vivid picture in the reader's mind.

The word "menace" is the correct answer because it means a threat or danger. In the given sentence, the fire is described as a menace, indicating that it poses a threat to both the rich and the poor. "Conflagration" means a large and destructive fire, but it does not convey the idea of a threat to all. "Enumeration" refers to the act of listing or counting, which is unrelated to the context of the sentence. "Contrivance" means a clever device or plan, which is also unrelated to the concept of a fire threatening people.

In this context, the word "flanked" means that people were often surrounded or threatened by burning buildings on both sides of the street. The word "flanked" implies that the buildings were positioned on either side of the street, creating a dangerous situation for the people.

Jack's FEATURE STORY style differs from a normal news story because it includes more descriptive details and figurative language. This means that Jack's writing is more vivid and colorful, painting a more detailed picture for the reader. Additionally, the fact that it is written in the first person suggests that Jack is sharing his own personal experiences and perspectives. While it is based on facts and can be considered an eyewitness account, the emphasis on descriptive details and figurative language sets it apart from a typical news story.