STAAR Review English

Definition 1

Definition 2

Definition 3

Definition 4

The competition between snow shovelers makes Sigismondo

excited to prove himself to Marcovaldo.

The fast-paced urban environment explains why workers like

Sigismondo must keep the city moving.

The scarcity of jobs makes Sigismondo appreciate the temporary

employment the snow provides.

The industrialization of the city leads Sigismondo to feel ambitious

about his future opportunities.

They establish the snowfall as a rare, almost magical happening.

They introduce the confusion Marcovaldo feels throughout

the story.

They provide a sense of approaching danger to Marcovaldo and

his neighbors.

They suggest that the storm has created a unique, unfathomable

mystery.

The shipping department workplace suggests Marcovaldo feels

confident that his position at work will improve.

The snow-covered city on Marcovaldo’s walk to work inspires him

to imagine a life without restrictions.

The deserted city streets emphasize the reason Marcovaldo must

walk slowly on his way to work.

The hidden Italian streets convey the importance of Marcovaldo’s

job to clear the snow from the sidewalks.

Sigismondo’s efforts are being erased by the efforts of a

fellow worker

Sigismondo’s crew is unable to keep up with the rapidly

accumulating snow

the snow continues to pile up as the workers race to gain favor

with their boss

the speed at which the workers must shovel is beginning to cause

them distress

It creates empathy for people who walk to work.

It suggests hope that there will be progress for the worker.

It emphasizes the sense of fantasy that ends abruptly.

It reveals a feeling of warmth that contrasts with the cold outside.

The soothing lull of the falling snow

The shadowy gloom of the endless snow at night

The dangers hidden by the thick snow

The exciting thrill of watching the snow fall

By suggesting that human productivity is hampered by the

unexpected weather

By conveying how the sight of snow is more appealing than the

void of sound

By describing how the individual senses are affected by dramatic

changes in nature

By showing that the newly fallen snow conceals the bleakness of

everyday life

To describe the advancements of society despite the dangers

of nature

To reveal the freedom people feel when they live close to nature

To show the ability of nature to alter the landscape of society

To illustrate the tranquility nature brings to the lives of people

The language in the excerpt emphasizes the surprise of a

character, while the language in the poem suggests the sadness

of the speaker.

The language in the excerpt conveys the fear of a character, while

the language in the poem reveals the excitement of the speaker.

The language in the excerpt conveys the enthusiasm of a

character, while the language in the poem reveals the calmness

of the speaker.

The language in the excerpt emphasizes the objectivity of a

character, while the language in the poem suggests the bias

of the speaker.

Newly fallen snow can bring a welcome change to everyday life.

Forces in nature can be hostile and compel people to work harder.

Nature constantly reminds people that progress is only an illusion.

Heavy snowfall isolates people from one another.

A heavy snowfall affects everyone in a city equally.

A heavy snowfall can be destructive to city landmarks.

A heavy snowfall can transform the appearance of a city.

A heavy snowfall provides opportunities to everyone in a city.

Deadening, muffling, stifling its murmurs failing; (line 5)

Silently sifting and veiling road, roof and railing; (line 7)

It lay in the depth of its uncompacted lightness, (line 11)

But even for them awhile no cares encumber (line 34)

While the laborers in the excerpt compete for scarce jobs shoveling

the snow, the laborers in the poem feel that the snow has made

their work much harder.

While the laborers in the excerpt feel overwhelmed by the

increased workload due to the snow, the laborers in the poem

trudge through the snow without noticing it.

While the laborers in the excerpt worry about the monumental

task of shoveling the snow, the laborers in the poem think of the

snow as a part of their daily struggles.

While the laborers in the excerpt appreciate opportunities brought

by the snow, the laborers in the poem find the snow a short

distraction from the drudgery of their day.