Question

1. why does paul refer to the front as a mysterious whirlpool (pg)?

a. the front is a mysterious whirlpool because it is wet and muddy.
b. the front is a mysterious whirlpool because it is very windy.
c. the front is a mysterious whirlpool because it is dangerous for soldiers.
d. the front is a mysterious whirlpool because it is a strong force.

1. part a: according to paul, what is a soldier’s relationship with the earth?

a. the earth is like a mother that keeps soldiers safe, giving the men places to hide.
b. the earth is like a brother, giving the men hugs and high fives.
c. the earth is like a teacher, giving the soldiers wisdom.
d. the earth is like an enemy, it could hurt or even kill the soldiers.

part b: what evidence supports the correct answer for part a?
a. she is his only friend (55).
b. she shelters him and releases him for ten seconds to live (55).
c. earth with thy folds, and hollows, and holes (55).
d. in the bellowing death of the explosions (55).

1. part a: on page 55, what does the word annihilation mean?

a. the act of hiding from danger.
b. a large explosion, like from a bomb.
c. the act of destroying completely.
d. a kind of soldier in the german army.

part b: what part of speech is the correct answer to part a?

1. on page 55, paul explains soldiers’ relationships to the earth: he stifles his terror and his cries in her silence and her security. the verb stifle means to hold back; to end or quell by force; crush. paul could also have used the verb quiet, which means to make quiet; to cause to become calm. consider the connotations of both words, and select the statement below that best captures the effect of the replacement of the word stifle with quiet.

a. the word quiet has a more negative, violent connotation than stifle, and its use would show the utter terror of the soldiers.
b. the word quiet has a more negative, gloomy connotation than stifle, and quiet makes it seem like the soldiers are depressed.
c. the word quiet has a more positive, joyful connotation than stifle and would make it seem as though the soldiers are celebrating in the earth.
d. the word quiet has a more positive, soothing connotation than stifle. quiet makes the statement seem like the soldier is finding peace.

Explanation:

Question 1 (Why does Paul refer to the front as a "mysterious whirlpool" (55)?)

To answer, we analyze each option:

• Option a: "wet and muddy" doesn't relate to a whirlpool's mystery. Eliminate.
• Option b: "very windy" doesn't explain the whirlpool metaphor. Eliminate.
• Option c: "dangerous for soldiers" is vague. A whirlpool implies a force, not just danger. Eliminate.
• Option d: A whirlpool is a strong, powerful force. The front as a strong force matches the metaphor. Correct.

Analyze options:

• Option a: Earth as a mother (safe, hiding places) fits the idea of earth protecting soldiers (e.g., trenches, cover).
• Option b: "Brother" with hugs/high fives is illogical. Eliminate.
• Option c: Earth as a teacher (giving wisdom) is unrelated. Eliminate.
• Option d: Earth as an enemy (hurting/killing) contradicts typical war literature where earth provides shelter. Eliminate.

For Part B (Evidence for Part A):

• Option a: "only friend" doesn't show motherly protection. Eliminate.
• Option b: "she shelters him and releases him for ten seconds to live" shows earth (she) sheltering (protecting) like a mother. Correct.
• Option c: "fields, hollows, holes" describes earth’s features, not relationship. Eliminate.
• Option d: "belching death of explosions" focuses on danger, not protection. Eliminate.

(Part A):

• Option a: "hiding from danger" is "evasion," not annihilation. Eliminate.
• Option b: "large explosion" is a result, not the act of annihilation. Eliminate.
• Option c: "destroying completely" matches "annihilation" (total destruction). Correct.
• Option d: "soldier in German army" is irrelevant. Eliminate.

Part B: "Annihilation" is a noun (the act of...), and the answer "the act of destroying completely" is a noun phrase (the act...). So the part of speech is noun (but the question asks the part of speech of the answer to Part A, which is a noun phrase, so the part of speech is noun).

Answer:

d. The front is a mysterious whirlpool because it is a strong force.

Question 2 (Part A: According to Paul, what is a soldier’s relationship with the earth?)