Aegean Crossing: A Refugee's Journey

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Questions and Answers

Why did the smugglers choose a cloudy, moonless night for the crossing?

To ensure they wouldn't encounter other boats.
To take advantage of cooler temperatures.
To decrease the likelihood of being detected by the Greek Coast Guard. (correct)
To make it easier to navigate by the stars.

What is the primary source of anxiety for the people in the dinghy?

The overcrowding of the boat.
The failing motor and deflating boat. (correct)
The possibility of being caught by the authorities.
The lack of food and water.

Ahmed's memory of stories about defective life jackets suggests what underlying fear?

Distrust of the smugglers and the equipment they provided. (correct)
Fear of being separated from his father.
Regret for leaving his family behind.
Anticipation of a long and difficult journey.

What is the significance of the stainless-steel watch that Ahmed's father gives him?

It represents a connection to his family history and a hope for the future. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does Ahmed's father's calm demeanor likely indicate, despite the dire situation?

He is trying to reassure Ahmed and maintain hope, despite his own fears. (B) Signup and view all the answers

The phrase 'Where was Europe? Where was the rest of the world?' suggests Ahmed's feeling of:

Isolation and abandonment in the face of their plight. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does the father's assurance, 'You won't have to,' imply when Ahmed says he can't swim?

He believes they will be rescued before needing to swim. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the most likely reason Ahmed's father gave him the watch?

To provide Ahmed with a last connection to his heritage and a sense of hope. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does the author create a sense of dread and uncertainty in the passage?

By using sensory details and highlighting the characters' fears and the precariousness of their situation. (A) Signup and view all the answers

When Ahmed thinks about his mother, sisters, and grandfather, and wonders if his death will be worse than theirs, the reader can infer:

Ahmed knows his family has already died, and expects to die as well. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why does Ahmed's father put the inner tube around Ahmed before jumping into the water?

To keep Ahmed afloat and safe, as he anticipates needing to swim to help the boat. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does Ahmed's father mean when he says, "For a moment, I must leave you?"

He needs to briefly leave Ahmed's side to contribute to the immediate safety of everyone on the boat. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why does the author include the detail that the woman in front of Ahmed is holding a baby in a sling?

To emphasize the vulnerability and desperation of the refugees on the boat. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is significant about the fact that the refugees are from various places like Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq?

It illustrates the commonality among them: their shared inability to swim. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the most likely reason Ahmed's father asks if anyone else can swim?

He wants to assess whether there are enough people to help pull the boat to safety. (C) Signup and view all the answers

The engineering student from Homs is now acting as the captain. What does this imply about the journey?

The journey is likely disorganized and desperate, with people taking on roles they are not prepared for. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred from the wiry man handing his jacket and shirt to the woman to be folded?

He is attempting to reassure the woman and the little girl that he intends to return safely. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the phrase "Ahmed lurched forward to grab him, but it was too late"?

It highlights Ahmed's sense of helplessness and the rapid unfolding of events. (C) Signup and view all the answers

In the line “His father slid into the dark water like an eel,” what does this simile suggest about his father’s actions?

His father moved quickly and efficiently. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase "This thankless duty had earned him an oblong orange buoy" suggest about the captain's role?

The captain's role is dangerous but unappreciated. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why did Ahmed's father refuse to take the inner tube back from Ahmed?

He believed it would slow him down while swimming. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What action did the passengers take to lighten the boat, and what did this act symbolize for Ahmed?

They scooped water from the bottom of the boat and poured it out, symbolizing effort and unity; Ahmed felt his fear replaced by pride. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does the author use Ahmed's memory of the dabke to enhance the reader's understanding of his relationship with his father?

It emphasizes his father's protective nature, drawing a parallel between past celebrations and the current journey, reinforcing Ahmed's trust. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What event caused Ahmed to be 'jolted from his memories,' and how did this event affect the journey?

The wind picked up and choppy waves rocked the dinghy; it made the journey more dangerous. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase '...as if considering the worth of those inside' imply about the wave?

The wave posed an existential threat to the passengers, with a potentially disastrous outcome. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How did the sideways wave impact the swimmers and the buoy?

It swept over the swimmers, causing them to vanish, and ripped the buoy off the rope. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Given the events described, what is the most likely theme of this passage?

The resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity during migration. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the detail of the passengers shouting 'Praise be to God!' after the boat jerked forward suggest about their state of mind?

They were expressing gratitude and relief for progress made, attributing it to divine intervention. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Considering the father's actions and the overall situation, what can be inferred about the father's character?

He is a natural leader who inspires confidence through action and sacrifice. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does the changing weather in this passage serve as a metaphor for the characters' emotional state?

The storm represents the escalating danger and uncertainty of their journey, mirroring their growing fear and anxiety. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Dinghy

A small, inflatable boat, often made of rubber or similar material.

Smuggling

Illegally transporting people or goods, often across borders.