Conflict and Theme in "To Build a Fire," Part 2 — Quiz
Question 7 • 191 CR ELA 9
Read the excerpt from Part 2 of “To Build a Fire.” When all was ready, the man reached in his pocket for a second piece of birch bark. He knew the bark was there, and, though he could not feel it with his fingers, he could hear its crisp rustling as he fumbled for it. Try as he would, he could not clutch hold of it. And all the time, in his consciousness, was the knowledge that each instant his feet were freezing. This thought tended to put him in a panic, but he fought against it and kept calm. The conflict in this excerpt helps to
Answer
A
establish the story’s exposition.
B
progress the story’s rising action.
C
establish the story’s resolution.
D
progress the story’s falling action.
Explanation
The man is struggling to get the birch bark while his feet keep freezing, so the danger is increasing and the conflict is building. This advances the rising action, which develops the problem and tension before the climax. It is not the resolution or falling action, because the conflict has not yet been settled.
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