Question

Question was provided via image upload.

Explanation:

The passage summarizes the early events of H.G. Wells' science fiction novel The War of the Worlds. The blanks are filled using the context of the story and the provided word bank:

• 1) evening papers: In the afternoon, London's evening newspapers report the news, drawing crowds from nearby towns.
• 2) several workmen: Alongside the journalist Henderson, Ogilvy, and Stent, several workmen are hired to help excavate the cylinder in the pit.
• 3) put up a railing: Ogilvy wants to erect a barrier or railing to keep the growing, curious crowd from falling into the pit.
• 4) jostling: The crowd is pushing and shoving (jostling) each other excitedly to get a better view of the opening cylinder.
• 5) a human: The onlookers expect a common, human-like figure to emerge from the spacecraft.
• 6) the Martian: Instead of a human, they are shocked and terrified by the grotesque, tentacled appearance of the Martian.

Answer:

1. evening papers
2. several workmen
3. put up a railing
4. jostling
5. a human
6. the Martian