1. What is the first strange thing that happens on Maple Street?
A. the power goes out
B. Lights flash in the sky
C. Every machine turns off
D. Sprinklers spin out of control
2. What does tommy warn steve and don not to do?
A. go inside
B. call the police
C. walk downtown
D. mention the meteor
3. When the neighbors start to turn against ned, what is the most likely reason that steve stands back and says nothing?
A. He wanted to help Ned defend himself
B. He feels suspicious of ned and his family
C. he feels afraid of what his neighbors might do
D. He wants to be able to hear his neighbors better
4. Which detail from page 40 best supports your answer to question 3?
A. "nothing except one car-yours!"
B. "There were mutterings from the crowd."
C. "Something was building up that threatened to grow beyond control".
D. "I dont know why the car works-it just does!"
5. Read the following sentence from page 46: "Needled, don went on the offensive again but his tone held something plaintive and petulant."
Which word is an antonym of the word petulant as it is used in the story?
A. cheerful
B. intelligent
C. official
D. reasonable
6. Read the following passage from page 47: " 'and youre with him-all of you.' Steve bellowed at them. 'You're standing there all set to crucify-to find a scapegoat-desperate to point some kind of a finger at a neighbor!"
What is the meaning of the word scapegoat as it is used in the story?
A. Someone who runs away
B. someone who leads a group
C. someone who draws attention
D. someone who takes the blame
7. Based on the conversation between the two aliens at the end of the story, what is the second alien most likely learning how to do?
A. observe life on earth
B. settle a new race on earth
C. turn people on earth against each other
D. load supplies from earth to the spaceship
8. Which statement best expresses a central idea of the story?
A. reason is stronger than human emotion
B. fear can make people distrust one another
C. aliens might already be living among humans
D. people have become too dependent on technology
1. B. Lights flash in the sky
2. D. mention the meteor
3. C. he feels afraid of what his neighbors might do
4. C. "Something was building up that threatened to grow beyond control".
5. A. cheerful
6. D. someone who takes the blame
7. C. turn people on earth against each other
8. B. fear can make people distrust one another