Comparing and Contrasting Two Versions of The War of the Worlds Answers

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3

Consider these versions of The War of the Worlds.Excerpt 1, from H. G. Wells's novel The War of the Worlds:Everything was then quite invisible, hidden by the deep pit and the heap of sand that the fall of the cylinder had made. Anyone coming along the road from Chobham or Woking would have been amazed at the sight—a dwindling multitude of perhaps a hundred people or more standing in a great irregular circle, in ditches, behind bushes, behind gates and hedges, saying little to one another and that in short, excited shouts, and staring, staring hard at a few heaps of sand.Excerpt 2, from Howard E. Koch's script for Orson Welles's radio adaptation:PHILLIPS: Ladies and gentlemen, you've just heard Mr. Wilmuth, owner of the farm where this thing has fallen. I wish I could convey the atmosphere . . . the background of this . . . fantastic scene. Hundreds of cars are parked in a field in back of us. Police are trying to rope off the roadway leading to the farm. But it's no use. They're breaking right through. Cars' headlights throw an enormous spot on the pit where the object's half buried. Some of the more daring souls are now venturing near the edge. Their silhouettes stand out against the metal sheen.(FAINT HUMMING SOUND)One man wants to touch the thing . . . he's having an argument with a policeman. The policeman wins . . .Which statements describe similarities in the authors' craft? Select 3 options.Both authors use descriptive adjectives.Both authors impart an ominous mood.Both authors cite scientific research.Both authors offer social criticism.Both authors use a concerned tone.

A
Both authors use descriptive adjectives.
B
Both authors impart an ominous mood.
C
Both authors cite scientific research.
D
Both authors offer social criticism.
E
Both authors use a concerned tone.
5

Which factual details does the author include to inform readers? Select 3 options.

A
"twenty miles west of Phoenix"
B
"3:15 p.m. on June 12, 2014"
C
"Rumors spread"
D
"concerns about aliens"
E
"spherical metal object"
6

Which statement best explains the aesthetic elements of a literary work?

A
Aesthetic elements establish background.
B
Aesthetic elements distinguish characters.
C
Aesthetic elements impart an artistic quality.
D
Aesthetic elements offer a thematic message.
8

Read the passage.No science fiction anthology is complete without an excerpt from The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells. It has every element of great science fiction: suspense, intrigue, and Martians. The story is a timeless classic. It captivated readers nearly one hundred years ago, and it is still relevant and spellbinding.

A
to inform readers about a variety of H. G. Wells's literary works
B
to entertain readers with details from The War of the Worlds
C
to inform readers about methods for writing science fiction novels
D
to persuade readers of the literary merit of The War of the Worlds
9

Which excerpt from The War of the Worlds uses a sensory detail for aesthetic impact?

A
"Henderson stood up with his spade in his hand."
B
"Ogilvy told him all that he had seen."
C
"The two men hurried back at once to the common, and found the cylinder still lying in the same position."
D
"Air was either entering or escaping at the rim with a thin, sizzling sound."
11

Which descriptive details does the author include to entertain readers? Select 3 options.

A
"crowded diner was bustling"
B
"Others noticed"
C
"backlit by the noon sun"
D
"Some people still did not register"
E
"a collective gasp resounded"
13

Read the excerpt from H. G. Wells's The War of the Worlds.The peculiar V-shaped mouth with its pointed upper lip, the absence of brow ridges, the absence of a chin beneath the wedgelike lower lip, the incessant quivering of this mouth, the Gorgon groups of tentacles, the tumultuous breathing of the lungs in a strange atmosphere, the evident heaviness and painfulness of movement due to the greater gravitational energy of the earth—above all, the extraordinary intensity of the immense eyes—were at once vital, intense, inhuman, crippled and monstrous. There was something fungoid in the oily brown skin, something in the clumsy deliberation of the tedious movements unspeakably nasty.

A
He provides quotes from experts.
B
He shares data about the creature.
C
He appeals to the reader's beliefs.
D
He uses detailed physical description.
14

Which descriptive details does the author include to entertain readers? Select 3 options.

A
"crowded diner was bustling"
B
"Others noticed"
C
"backlit by the noon sun"
D
"Some people still did not register"
E
"a collective gasp resounded"
15

How do authors impart aesthetic elements? Select 3 options.

A
through their word choice
B
through persuasive argument
C
through their tone
D
through facts and data
E
through the story's mood
16

Consider these versions of The War of the Worlds.Excerpt 1, from H. G. Wells's novel The War of the Worlds:Then came the night of the first falling star. It was seen early in the morning, rushing over Winchester eastward, a line of flame high in the atmosphere. Hundreds must have seen it, and taken it for an ordinary falling star. Albin described it as leaving a greenish streak behind it that glowed for some seconds. Denning, our greatest authority on meteorites, stated that the height of its first appearance was about ninety or one hundred miles. It seemed to him that it fell to earth about one hundred miles east of him.Excerpt 2, from Howard E. Koch's script for Orson Welles's radio adaptation:ANNOUNCER TWO: Ladies and gentlemen, we interrupt our program of dance music to bring you a special bulletin from the Intercontinental Radio News. At twenty minutes before eight, central time, Professor Farrell of the Mount Jennings Observatory, Chicago, Illinois, reports observing several explosions of incandescent gas, occurring at regular intervals on the planet Mars. The spectroscope indicates the gas to be hydrogen and moving towards the earth with enormous velocity.Which statement best describes the difference between these versions?

A
The radio adaptation's tone is more urgent than the novel's tone.
B
The radio adaptation's tone is more academic than the novel's tone.
C
The radio adaptation's tone is more peaceful than the novel's tone.
D
The radio adaptation's tone is more friendly than the novel's tone.
17

Which excerpt from The War of the Worlds uses a sensory detail for aesthetic impact?

A
"Henderson stood up with his spade in his hand."
B
"Ogilvy told him all that he had seen."
C
"The two men hurried back at once to the common, and found the cylinder still lying in the same position."
D
"Air was either entering or escaping at the rim with a thin, sizzling sound."
18

Read the excerpt from H. G. Wells's The War of the Worlds.But, looking, I presently saw something stirring within the shadow: greyish billowy movements, one above another, and then two luminous disks—like eyes. Then something resembling a little grey snake, about the thickness of a walking stick, coiled up out of the writhing middle, and wriggled in the air towards me—and then another.

A
through realistic dialogue
B
through a comforting tone
C
through scientific explanation
D
through colorful description
19

Which statement best describes the difference between the aesthetic appeal of the the original The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells and the radio version by Orson Welles?

A
The written text relies on vivid description; the radio adaptation uses description and soothing narration.
B
The written text relies on vivid description; the radio adaptation uses frenzied dialogue and sound effects.
C
The written text relies on narration; the radio adaptation uses an upbeat tone and characterization.
D
The written text relies on narration; the radio adaptation uses setting details and research.
20

Which excerpt from The War of the Worlds uses a vivid visual description for aesthetic impact?

A
"I saw the shopman struggling still on the edge of the pit."
B
"I found myself alone, and saw the people on the other side of the pit running off, Stent among them."
C
"A lank tentacular appendage gripped the edge of the cylinder, another swayed in the air."
D
"Even at this first encounter, this first glimpse, I was overcome with disgust and dread."

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