Read the following passage, "Dark Star", and reference it to answer questions 1-16.

Dark Star

[1] Giselle leaned against the mahogany bay horse, stroking the white diamond-shaped star on its forehead and looking into its soulful brown eyes. “Hey, my man,” she whispered. Dark Star angled his head around, cautiously sniffed at the cast on Giselle’s forearm, and then nuzzled her neck and lightly stamped a hoof on the floor of his stall. “I’m okay. I missed you, too,” she said. Then she retrieved some green apple slices from a resealable plastic bag and fed them one by one to the horse. “Today is our day to pick up where we left off, so here’s a little something to give you energy,” she told the horse.

Ever since she was a little girl, Giselle had loved horses, and she devoured books like The Black Stallion, Black Beauty, and National Velvet. When she was eight years old, Giselle moved to the country with her parents and baby twin brothers. The open field behind their home was a blank page begging to be filled. But when she asked her parents if she could have a horse, they told her they just couldn’t afford it. Instead Giselle decorated the walls of her room with posters of horses and pictures she drew. One day, she promised herself, she would learn to ride a horse and maybe even have one of her own.

[3] Not content with just books, pictures, and posters, Giselle would often climb the hill behind her home to watch Dark Star, the Fletchers’ horse, cantering in the corral. With every visit, she would inch a little closer to the bay. Slowly Dark Star warmed up to her, and one cold spring afternoon, he approached Giselle and gently nudged her, filling her with euphoria. That evening Giselle heard thunder drumming in the distance and looked out her window to see black clouds inking over the dusky light. A storm was gathering strength. It was getting so dark,

Question

Read the following passage, "Dark Star", and reference it to answer questions 1-16.

Dark Star

[1] Giselle leaned against the mahogany bay horse, stroking the white diamond-shaped star on its forehead and looking into its soulful brown eyes. “Hey, my man,” she whispered. Dark Star angled his head around, cautiously sniffed at the cast on Giselle’s forearm, and then nuzzled her neck and lightly stamped a hoof on the floor of his stall. “I’m okay. I missed you, too,” she said. Then she retrieved some green apple slices from a resealable plastic bag and fed them one by one to the horse. “Today is our day to pick up where we left off, so here’s a little something to give you energy,” she told the horse.

Ever since she was a little girl, Giselle had loved horses, and she devoured books like The Black Stallion, Black Beauty, and National Velvet. When she was eight years old, Giselle moved to the country with her parents and baby twin brothers. The open field behind their home was a blank page begging to be filled. But when she asked her parents if she could have a horse, they told her they just couldn’t afford it. Instead Giselle decorated the walls of her room with posters of horses and pictures she drew. One day, she promised herself, she would learn to ride a horse and maybe even have one of her own.

[3] Not content with just books, pictures, and posters, Giselle would often climb the hill behind her home to watch Dark Star, the Fletchers’ horse, cantering in the corral. With every visit, she would inch a little closer to the bay. Slowly Dark Star warmed up to her, and one cold spring afternoon, he approached Giselle and gently nudged her, filling her with euphoria. That evening Giselle heard thunder drumming in the distance and looked out her window to see black clouds inking over the dusky light. A storm was gathering strength. It was getting so dark,

Omazing · Answer

she couldn’t discern whether the horse was in the corral up on the hill. Alarmed that the Fletchers might have forgotten about Dark Star, Giselle rushed to their front door, summoning the courage to ask if she could be the bay’s guardian. Although Dark Star was safe in the stable, the neighbors were impressed with Giselle’s initiative. That had been two years before, when she was 13, and soon Giselle had reached an agreement with the Fletchers about the equine’s care—a daily ritual that for Giselle became as easy as breathing the country air.

“Ready to get out of here?” Dark Star dipped his head in agreement. Giselle opened the horse’s stall, and even though it was a bit of a struggle with only one good arm, she managed to bridle him and lay a blanket across his back. Then she led him into a small corral. The late afternoon sun lit tiny crystals on the melting snow at the fringes of the fenced enclosure.

[5] As Giselle, a willowy girl with cascading chestnut locks woven into braids, sauntered around the corral after the bay, a station wagon roared up the hill, spewing rocks and dirt from road, and parked beside the fence. Emerging from the dusty maroon car, a man with a receding hairline and wire-rimmed glasses, holding a laptop case under one arm, waved to the girl with his free hand. “Hello, Giselle. I’m surprised to see you. How’s your arm?”

“Better.” Giselle raised her casted arm, covered with her little brothers’ drawings. “I have a smaller cast now.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t ride Dark Star until your arm is completely healed.”

The girl glanced toward her small ranch house at the base of the sloping hillside, then back at the man. “I’ll be okay. The snow’s melted, and there’s no ice.”

[9] “Looks like rain’s comin’,” Mr. Fletcher said, gazing up at the dark clouds moving across the sky. “Giselle, I know you’re an excellent rider, but between the serious weather coming in and the fact you have a cast on your arm, I have to tell you I think this ride is a bad idea.” The man intentionally made eye contact with Giselle, trying to impress upon her his concern. Giselle was torn. While she respected Mr. Fletcher and the opportunity he had given her to care for and to ride Dark Star, she knew what she was doing. The fall a few weeks ago had nothing to do with her riding skills or Dark Star’s ability. It was just bad luck! He’s totally overreacting, Giselle told herself, but I’ll play along. I’ve waited long enough to get back in the saddle, and Dark Star and I deserve an adventure. We’ll be back before anyone notices we have even left the corral.

“You’re right, Mr. Fletcher,” Giselle responded with false cheerfulness. “Dark Star needs some exercise though, so is it all right if I just walk him up the trail and back?” she pleaded, while pasting on her most endearing smile.

[11] The man shook his head and laughed. “I can never seem to say no to you, Giselle. Go ahead and spend some time together, but be careful. I trust you know what you are doing.” Of course I do! What on earth could go wrong? Giselle thought. Soon enough, she’d have a clear answer to that question.

Giselle listened as her neighbor’s footsteps crunched across the gravel driveway, and she lingered until he had entered his house and closed the door. Then she led Dark Star to a gate at the far side of the corral and opened it. Once outside and out of view, Giselle climbed the railings of the corral fence, clambered up on the bay, and wriggled into position on the horse’s back. The saddle hugged her like an old friend. It had been almost four weeks since she’d ridden Dark Star, and Giselle was adamant that her broken arm would not inhibit her riding. She slid down and hugged the horse’s mane, then sat up and pulled lightly on the reins, guiding Dark Star to an etched path leading to an expanse of open field.

[13] Out of nowhere, mere footsteps away, lightning crackled down from the sky and savagely struck a tree trunk. Stinging sparks showered over the horse and rider, and the acrid scent of burning bark and spent electricity filled the air. Dark Star reared up, his eyes rolling back in distress, and took off at an uncontrollable gallop across the open field. With only one good arm, Giselle could do nothing to slow the terrified horse as it hurled itself toward the steep drop-off at the end of the field.

Omazing · Answer

To be used with "Dark Star" passage:

How does the author create mystery in this story?

Question 5 options:

By mentioning Giselle’s cast at several points in the story but never directly explaining how she broke her arm, the author adds interest for readers as they try to infer what might have happened.

By alternating events from the past and the present to show Giselle's unpredictability, readers are continually guessing how Giselle will react to new developments in the story.

By focusing more on scenes with Dark Star than on scenes with her parents and siblings, readers wonder about Giselle's relationship with her family.

By explaining in detail Giselle's love for books about horses but never explaining how she learned to ride, readers question Giselle's ability to care for Dark Star.

ggmydude · Answer

By mentioning Giselle’s cast at several points in the story but never directly explaining how she broke her arm, the author adds interest for readers as they try to infer what might have happened.

this is the most relevant to the plot, her cast is inferred by Mr. Fletcher that it was a result of riding horses. An injury she swears does not stem from her lack of skill. However, these two conflicting points create an air of drama that can only be described as mysterious.

TheRobin · Answer

I would say it is definitely option one. you never actually find out how she got her cast

Omazing · Answer

Do you guys mind answering some more questions?

ggmydude · Answer

Not at all lol

TheRobin · Answer

Np Sure

Omazing · Answer

Question 7 (3 points) 
To be used with "Dark Star" passage:

How does the imagery in the last paragraph affect the mood of this story?

Question 7 options:

It conveys Giselle's contentment as she is able to ride Dark Star again.

It changes the mood from excitement to panic.

It conveys Giselle's guilt as she worries about deceiving Mr. Fletcher.

It changes the mood from relaxation to exhilaration.

Question 8 (3 points) 
To be used with "Dark Star" passage:

How does Giselle’s arrangement with the Fletchers affect the plot?

Question 8 options:

With hours of practice riding and caring for Dark Star, Giselle gains the experience and maturity necessary to own a horse of her own.

It establishes the relationship with Dark Star and sets into motion a series of events that reveals Giselle's rebellious side.

It allows for a strong friendship to grow between Giselle and the Fletchers that teaches her a lesson about responsibility.

Through the challenging experience of taking care of the Fletchers' horse, Giselle comes to understand her passion for horses is a passing phase.

Question 9 (3 points) 
To be used with "Dark Star" passage:

What purpose does this scene have on the readers' experience?

The man shook his head and laughed. "I can never seem to say 'no' to you, Giselle. Go ahead and spend some time together, but be careful. I trust you know what you are doing." Of course I do! What on earth could go wrong? Giselle thought. Soon enough, she'd have a clear answer to that question.

Question 9 options:

It develops tension by suggesting that Giselle's decision to sneak in a ride on Dark Star could have serious consequences.

It creates surprise because it is difficult to believe that Mr. Fletcher can be so easily fooled by Giselle.

It develops a sense of mystery by asking readers to imagine the possible outcomes of Giselle's ride with Dark Star.

It creates humor because readers know that Giselle's actions are the opposite of trustworthy.

Question 10 (3 points) 
To be used with "Dark Star" passage:

Which event works to develop the theme, "Where there is a will, there is a way"?

Question 10 options:

Mr. Fletcher suggests that Giselle should wait to ride Dark Star.

The Fletcher family leaves Dark Star without shelter during a storm.

Giselle moves with her family to a place in the country.

Giselle chooses to ride Dark Star despite her broken arm.

ggmydude · Answer

question 7: It changes the mood from excitement to panic.

question 8: It establishes the relationship with Dark Star and sets into motion a series of events that reveals Giselle's rebellious side.

question 9: It develops a sense of mystery by asking readers to imagine the possible outcomes of Giselle's ride with Dark Star.

question 10: Giselle chooses to ride Dark Star despite her broken arm.

ggmydude · Answer

would've taken a while to write out an individual explanation for all of them, but I'm sure they're self explanatory if you see my earlier comments

TheRobin · Answer

I contest to these answer (meaning I'm not going to bother putting them up another time)

Omazing · Answer

Alright I dont need and explanation lol

Omazing · Answer

NO EXPLANATION NEEDED! 
To be used with "Dark Star" passage:

Which piece of evidence helps to support the developing theme in the previous question?

Question 11 options:

"The late afternoon sun lit tiny crystals on the melting snow at the fringes of the fenced enclosure."

"It had been almost four weeks since she’d ridden Dark Star, and Giselle was adamant that her broken arm would not inhibit her riding."

"While she respected Mr. Fletcher and the opportunity he had given her to care for and to ride Dark Star, she knew what she was doing."

"Giselle listened as her neighbor’s footsteps crunched across the gravel driveway, and she lingered until he had entered his house and closed the door."

Question 12 (3 points) 
To be used with "Dark Star" passage:

Which statement most effectively explains the meaning of this sentence from the passage?

The open field behind their home was a blank page begging to be filled.

Question 12 options:

The empty space is the scene of many fond memories for Giselle.

The field is the best place for Giselle to have an adventure.

The empty space is the ideal spot to build a stable for horses.

The field is the perfect spot to spend the day reading.

Question 13 (3 points) 
To be used with "Dark Star" passage:

Which answer best captures how the imagery affects the mood in this excerpt?

That evening, Giselle heard thunder drumming in the distance and looked out her window to see black clouds inking over the dusky light. A storm was gathering strength.

Question 13 options:

It mirrors Giselle’s feelings of fear and concern for Dark Star.

It creates a feeling of restless excitement.

It creates a sense of misery and foreboding.

It emphasizes Giselle's disappointment and frustration with the Fletchers.

Question 14 (3 points) 
To be used with "Dark Star" passage:

Which piece of evidence from the passage describes the scene in which Giselle feels like she is reconnecting with a beloved part of her life?

Question 14 options:

"Dark Star reared up, his eyes rolling back in distress, and took off at an uncontrollable gallop across the open field."

"She slid down and hugged the horse’s mane, then sat up and pulled lightly on the reins, guiding Dark Star to an etched path leading to an expanse of open field."

"The fall a few weeks ago had nothing to do with her riding skills or Dark Star’s ability. It was just bad luck!"

"Emerging from the dusty maroon car, a man with a receding hairline and wire-rimmed glasses, holding a laptop case under one arm, waved to the girl with his free hand."

Question 15 (3 points) 
To be used with "Dark Star" passage:

Why does the author use the phrases "false cheerfulness" and "pasting on her most endearing smile" in this excerpt from the passage?

"You're right, Mr. Fletcher," Giselle responded with false cheerfulness. "Dark Star needs some exercise though, so is it all right if I just walk him up the trail and back?" she pleaded, while pasting on her most endearing smile.

Question 15 options:

to demonstrate Giselle's positive outlook in the face of adversity

to show Giselle's sense of commitment to her responsibility to care for Dark Star

to show that Giselle is pretending to be agreeable to fool Mr. Fletcher

to suggest that Giselle is uncomfortable asking Mr. Fletcher for permission to spend time with Dark Star

ggmydude · Answer

Question 11: "It had been almost four weeks since she’d ridden Dark Star, and Giselle was adamant that her broken arm would not inhibit her riding."

Question 12: The field is the best place for Giselle to have an adventure.

Question 13: It creates a sense of misery and foreboding.

Question 14: "She slid down and hugged the horse’s mane, then sat up and pulled lightly on the reins, guiding Dark Star to an etched path leading to an expanse of open field."

Question 15: to show that Giselle is pretending to be agreeable to fool Mr. Fletcher

TheRobin · Answer

question 11: b          question 12: b          question 13: c         question 14: b     question 15: c

TheRobin · Answer

dang, I wasn't fast enough

Omazing · Answer

Hahah

ggmydude · Answer

i train in the mountains heheh

Omazing · Answer

To be used with "Dark Star" passage:

Which line from the text best supports the idea that Giselle’s passion for horses and riding outweighs her concern for personal safety?

Question 2 options:

“It had been almost four weeks since she’d ridden Dark Star, and Giselle was adamant that her broken arm would not inhibit her riding.”

“Once outside and out of view, Giselle climbed the railings of the corral fence, clambered up on the bay, and wriggled into position on the horse’s back.”

“The girl glanced toward her small ranch house at the base of the sloping hillside, then back at the man. ‘I’ll be okay. The snow’s melted, and there’s no ice.’”
To be used with "Dark Star" passage:

What is the effect of the use of figurative language in this excerpt from the passage?

That had been two years before, when she was 13, and soon Giselle had reached an agreement with the Fletchers about the equine's care -- a daily ritual that for Giselle became as easy as breathing the country air.

Question 3 options:

The author uses a metaphor to convey how much Giselle enjoys riding horses.

The author uses an analogy to compare Giselle today with Giselle two years before.

The author uses a simile to explain how natural it is for Giselle to care for the horse.

The author uses hyperbole to demonstrate Giselle's commitment to working with animals.
 To be used with "Dark Star" passage:

What is the effect of the flashback in paragraphs 2 and 3 of this story?

Question 4 options:

It conveys Giselle's determined character and her passion for horses, which helps explain the motivation behind Giselle's actions in the story.

It presents a brief history of Giselle's care of Dark Star, revealing her strong work ethic and responsibility.

It explains Giselle's stubborn character and troubled past, which creates the conflict between Giselle and Mr. Fletcher that occurs in the story.

It provides a detailed account of the accident in which Giselle broke her arm, establishing her reckless nature.
To be used with "Dark Star" passage:

What is the impact of Giselle's interaction with Mr. Fletcher as she prepares to take Dark Star for a ride?

Question 6 options:

Giselle is angered by Mr. Fletcher's suggestion she postpone her ride and leaves her position as Dark Star's caretaker.

It reveals that Giselle is a complex character with both a responsible side and a deceitful side.

It shows that Giselle is mature enough to put aside her own interests to show respect for the opinions of others.

Giselle is convinced by Mr. Fletcher's argument that it is too soon to ride and changes plans in the interest of Dark Star's safety.

Omazing · Answer

NO EXPLANATION NEEDED as well :)

ggmydude · Answer

@TheRobin you can do this one

TheRobin · Answer

Question 2 options:

“It had been almost four weeks since she’d ridden Dark Star, and Giselle was adamant that her broken arm would not inhibit her riding.”           Question 3 options:  The author uses a simile to explain how natural it is for Giselle to care for the horse.  Question 4 options:   It conveys Giselle's determined character and her passion for horses, which helps explain the motivation behind Giselle's actions in the story.      Question 6 options:  It reveals that Giselle is a complex character with both a responsible side and a deceitful side.

TheRobin · Answer

Sorry it took soo long I was making sure I read each question right
@ggmydude check my work for me will ya?

ggmydude · Answer

sure, i read all the questions, go for it

Omazing · Answer

its okay you took a little while i would rather have the right answer lol

Omazing · Answer

does giving best response help you guys?

TheRobin · Answer

Yes, a little

TheRobin · Answer

but you can only give one person best response on an answer

ggmydude · Answer

it just gives us a boost in score, which doesn't really matter to me. I have level 76 on PeerAnswer, I don't need to earn it all back in one day

Omazing · Answer

oh snap

Omazing · Answer

who wants it

TheRobin · Answer

he just said he doesn't need it and and I've been trying to get to ss20 so give it to me if you feel obliged

ggmydude · Answer

^

Omazing · Answer

I gotchu fam just one more question in the section

TheRobin · Answer

ok

Omazing · Answer

To be used with "Dark Star" passage:

How does the author create mystery in this story?

Question 5 options:

By mentioning Giselle’s cast at several points in the story but never directly explaining how she broke her arm, the author adds interest for readers as they try to infer what might have happened.

By alternating events from the past and the present to show Giselle's unpredictability, readers are continually guessing how Giselle will react to new developments in the story.

By focusing more on scenes with Dark Star than on scenes with her parents and siblings, readers wonder about Giselle's relationship with her family.

By explaining in detail Giselle's love for books about horses but never explaining how she learned to ride, readers question Giselle's ability to care for Dark Star.

Omazing · Answer

Not sure if I asked this one yet

ggmydude · Answer

You did

TheRobin · Answer

you did it is "By mentioning Giselle’s cast at several points in the story but never directly explaining how she broke her arm, the author adds interest for readers as they try to infer what might have happened."

Omazing · Answer

OMG you guys are life savors ima check my grade after. there is a few more questions. MY grade is on the line

ggmydude · Answer

if it goes down, its Robin's fault o-o

Omazing · Answer

Im gonna close this question to ask a different one.

Omazing · Answer

haah its cool lmao

TheRobin · Answer

Throwin me under the bus like that gg?

ggmydude · Answer

shhh i made you answer a few questions for a reason hehe

Omazing · Answer

LOL ill let u know

TheRobin · Answer

Gosh! I'm going to feel so bad if I even got one wrong.

Omazing · Answer

dont i literally am barely passing this class