Question

All these questions come from particular stories in commonlit -

The Ambitious Guest:
PART A: Which of the following best describes the central theme in the text?
A. Both life and death cannot be planned.
B. Fame is the only thing that can outlast the living.
C. Good company should be valued above fame.
D. Ambition alone will not make you successful.

PART B: Which of the following bests supports the answer to PART A?
A. "'But I cannot die till I have achieved my destiny. Then let Death come: I shall have built my monument.'" (Paragraph 12)
B. "'It is better to sit here by this fire," answered the girl, blushing, "and be comfortable
and contented, though nobody thinks about us.'" (Paragraph 15)
C. "'Old and young, we dream of graves and monuments,' murmured the stranger-youth." (Paragraph 39)
D. "His name and person utterly unknown, his history, his way of life, his plans, a mystery never to be solved, his death and his existence equally a doubt," (Paragraph 44)

How does the family react to the arrival of the young man?
A. They ask him to leave but change their minds.
B. They welcome him and laugh at what he says to them.
C. They welcome him and discuss what he says to them.
D. They argue with him before discussing what he says to them.

How do paragraphs 14-15 reveal the different points of view between the young man and the family's eldest daughter?
A. They reveal that young man believes in nobility, but the daughter doesn't think it is
important.
B. They reveal that the young man is cold, but the daughter has managed to stay warm.
C. They reveal that the young man wants more from life, but the daughter is satisfied with
her current life.
D. They reveal that the young man likes the daughter, but she doesn't like him.

How do the details of the setting contribute to the text's themes and central ideas?
A. The contrast between a warm and happy home with the threat of the mountain
foreshadows the danger to come.
B. The contrast between the description of the fire and the mountain symbolizes the
hope that the family has.
C. The contrast between the young man's ambition and the family's satisfaction illustrates
why it is important to travel.
D. The contrast between the young boy's innocent humor and the grandmother's
superstition reveals how life experience shapes you

Answer 1

A. Both life and death cannot be planned.

The central theme in "The Ambitious Guest" is that both life and death cannot be planned or controlled, and that the pursuit of ambition and fame can lead to tragic consequences. This is seen through the young man's determination to achieve his destiny and build a monument, which ultimately leads to his death, as well as through the family's acceptance of their fate and the recognition that they cannot control the mountain's destructive power.C. They welcome him and discuss what he says to them.

The family welcomes the young man and engages in a conversation with him, asking him questions and listening to his stories. They are intrigued by his ambition and optimistic outlook on life, but also recognize the dangers of living near the mountain.C. They reveal that the young man wants more from life, but the daughter is satisfied with her current life.

Paragraphs 14-15 reveal that the young man is ambitious and desires more from life, while the eldest daughter is content with her current situation and finds fulfillment in her domestic duties. The young man speaks of achieving his destiny and building a monument to his name, while the daughter values comfort and contentment over fame and glory.A. The contrast between a warm and happy home with the threat of the mountain foreshadows the danger to come.

The details of the setting contribute to the text's themes and central ideas by creating a contrast between the warm and cozy home of the family and the looming threat of the mountain. This contrast serves to foreshadow the danger to come and to emphasize the fragility of human life in the face of nature's power. The mountain represents the unpredictability and uncontrollability of life, while the home symbolizes the comfort and security that can be found in the company of others.