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.
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?
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?
Read the excerpt from H. G. Wells's The War of the Worlds.There were raised voices, and some sort of struggle appeared to be going on about the pit. Strange imaginings passed through my mind. As I drew nearer I heard Stent's voice:"Keep back! Keep back!"A boy came running towards me."It's a-movin'," he said to me as he passed; "a-screwin' and a-screwin' out. I don't like it. I'm a-goin' 'ome, I am."I went on to the crowd. There were really, I should think, two or three hundred people elbowing and jostling one another, the one or two ladies there being by no means the least active.
Read the excerpt from H. G. Wells's The War of the Worlds.The end of the cylinder was being screwed out from within. Nearly two feet of shining screw projected. Somebody blundered against me, and I narrowly missed being pitched onto the top of the screw. I turned, and as I did so the screw must have come out, for the lid of the cylinder fell upon the gravel with a ringing concussion. I stuck my elbow into the person behind me, and turned my head towards the Thing again. For a moment that circular cavity seemed perfectly black. I had the sunset in my eyes.
Read the passage.UFOs, or unidentified flying objects, are often the topic of science fiction novels. In reality, UFOs are often aircraft, kites, clouds, or meteors that observers are unable to recognize at first glance. A UFO near Roswell, New Mexico, made headlines in the mid-twentieth century and remains a pop-culture phenomenon. In more modern history, satellite launches have caused rocket debris that is often observed and reported as a UFO.
Which descriptive details does the author include to entertain readers? Select 3 options.
Consider these versions of The War of the Worlds.Excerpt 1, from H. G. Wells's novel The War of the Worlds:"Henderson," he called, "you saw that shooting star last night?" "Well?" said Henderson. "It's out on Horsell Common now." "Good Lord!" said Henderson. "Fallen meteorite! That's good." "But it's something more than a meteorite. It's a cylinder—an artificial cylinder, man! And there’s something inside."Excerpt 2, from Howard E. Koch's script for Orson Welles's radio adaptation:WILMUTH: I seen a kinda greenish streak and then zingo! Somethin' smacked the ground. Knocked me clear out of my chair! PHILLIPS: Well, were you frightened, Mrs. Wilmuth? MRS. WILMUTH: Well, I—I ain't quite sure. I reckon I—I was kinda riled. PHILLIPS: Thank you, Mr. Wilmuth. Thank you.Which statement best describes the similarity between these versions?
Which statement best explains the aesthetic elements of a literary work?
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.
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