10

Set 1: Command of Evidence (Intermediate)

Explanation

Answer: A

PASSAGE

The theme of 'man vs. nature' is central to Jack London's *To Build a Fire*. The protagonist is confident in his ability to survive the Yukon cold, ignoring the advice of an old timer. His eventual failure is portrayed not as malice by nature, but as indifference.

Which sentence from the story would best illustrate nature's 'indifference'?

A. The cold was a tangible thing that slapped him in the face.✓ Correct
B. The dog was disappointedly reluctant to leave the fire.
C. The tree, weighted with snow, dropped its load on his fire, blotting it out without warning.
D. He remembered the advice of the old timer on Sulphur Creek.

Detailed Explanation

The tree dropping snow is a simple physical reaction to weight/gravity. it happened 'without warning' and ruined his chance of survival, but the tree didn't 'mean' to do it. It just happened. This illustrates the cold, mechanical indifference of natural laws.

Key Evidence:

• "dropped its load on his fire"

• "without warning"

Why others are wrong: A (Personifies cold as aggressive ('slapped'), not indifferent.), B (About the dog, not nature.), D (About memory, not nature.).

🎉 Set Complete!

You've reviewed all explanations. Ready to try another set?

← Previous