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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the image of the west wall meant to allude to?

2. What is the reaction of nature to the end of human existence in the poem "There Will Come Soft Rains"?

3. Which room recreates the sights, sounds, and smells of the African savanna?

4. In the section about the nursery, Bradbury mentions the "sprockets" in the walls. What are "sprockets"?

5. What causes the house to temporarily "give up" as the fire spreads?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the difference between the focus of Teasdale's poem and the focus of Bradbury's short story?

2. The garbage disposal in the kitchen is referred to as a "metal throat." What techniques are at use here, and what is their purpose?

3. How does Bradbury use the dates on which the story takes place as a form of foreshadowing?

4. Explain the inclusion of the Sara Teasdale poem in this story.

5. Describe the image that ends the story and explain its significance.

6. Explain what is ironic about the rain in the nursery scenery.

7. Explain the significance of the nursery decor.

8. Explain the purpose of the story's allusion to Longfellow's poem "The Children's Hour."

9. What is the meaning of the silhouettes on the side of the house?

10. What are the poses of the people in their silhouettes on the side of the house, and why are they important to notice?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The narrator of "There Will Come Soft Rains" is a very traditional third-person narrator, taking a removed and seemingly unbiased stance on the events of the story. But is that actually the case? What evidence do you see that the narrator actually does have an opinion about these events?

Essay Topic 2

Imagine that you have been asked to write an updated version of Bradbury's story. Explain what details you would change in order to make the story more relevant to today's audiences, and tell why you would make these choices.

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the use of irony in "There Will Come Soft Rains." Explain both how irony is created and what purpose it serves in conveying meaning.

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