Lord of the Flies, Chapter 2: Fire on the Mountain quiz

Questions and answers

1. 1

   Question 1. What rule does Ralph establish for the meetings in Chapter 2?

   • Only the chief and his advisors may speak
   • Boys must stand in a circle to speak
   • Correct answer: Only the person holding the conch may speak
   • Only the older boys may speak at the meetings

   Ralph says he will give the conch to the next person to speak, and that person holds it while speaking without being interrupted.

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2. 2

   Question 2. Who first reports seeing the 'beastie' on the island?

   • Simon during his walk through the forest
   • Jack while exploring the mountain
   • Piggy after hearing strange noises at night
   • Correct answer: A littlun with a mulberry-colored birthmark

   A small boy of about six with a mulberry-colored birthmark is pushed forward by the other little boys; Piggy relays his report of a snake-thing he saw in the woods.

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3. 3

   Question 3. How do the boys light the signal fire?

   • Correct answer: They use Piggy's glasses to focus sunlight
   • They rub sticks together to create friction
   • They find matches in the wreckage of the plane
   • Jack strikes flint rocks together

   No one has matches, so Jack snatches Piggy's glasses and Ralph moves the lenses until the sun's image lights a piece of rotten wood.

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4. 4

   Question 4. What happens to the signal fire after it is lit?

   • It is put out by a sudden rainstorm before it can spread
   • Correct answer: It rages out of control and burns a large section of forest
   • It burns steadily all night while the altos keep watch
   • It sends up thick smoke that a passing ship soon notices

   The first blaze gives flame but no smoke; then fire spreads into the dead wood below until a quarter of a mile square of forest is burning.

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5. 5

   Question 5. What does Jack declare about the conch on the mountain?

   • That only he should hold the conch during meetings
   • That the conch is too fragile to carry up the mountain
   • Correct answer: That the conch has no authority on the mountain
   • That the conch should be kept on the mountain permanently

   When Piggy claims the right to speak, Jack tells him the conch does not count on top of the mountain and orders him to shut up.

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6. 6

   Question 6. Who points out that the boy with the birthmark is missing?

   • Ralph
   • Simon
   • Jack
   • Correct answer: Piggy

   Piggy, gasping, asks where the little boy with the mark on his face has gone, since he was last down where the fire is now burning.

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7. 7

   Question 7. What does the littlun say the 'beastie' resembles?

   • A shadow shaped like a tall man
   • Correct answer: A snake or the jungle creepers
   • A large bird with dark wings
   • A wild boar with glowing red eyes

   The littlun calls it a snake-thing, and says that in the morning it turned into things like ropes hanging in the trees.

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8. 8

   Question 8. What is Ralph's primary reason for wanting a signal fire?

   • Correct answer: To alert passing ships so they can be rescued
   • To keep the littluns warm through the night
   • To cook the pig meat the hunters bring back
   • To frighten away the beastie in the woods

   Ralph argues that a passing ship might not notice them, so they must make smoke on the mountain to help rescuers find them.

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9. 9

   Question 9. Which of the following events actually happen in Chapter 2?

   • Ralph establishes the rule that only the conch holder may speak.

     Happened

   • Ralph uses Piggy's glasses to start the signal fire.

     Happened

   • Simon wanders off alone into the jungle for the first time.

     Didn't happen

   • The boys vote to remove Ralph as chief.

     Didn't happen

   • A large section of forest is destroyed by the out-of-control fire.

     Happened

   • Piggy cannot find the boy with the mulberry birthmark after the fire spreads.

     Happened

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10. 10

    Question 10. Which of these statements about Chapter 2 are true?

    • Piggy complains that nobody has counted how many littluns there are.

      Happened

    • Jack declares the conch has no power on the mountain.

      Happened

    • The boys build shelters on the beach before the fire.

      Didn't happen

    • Ralph and Jack have a physical fight over leadership.

      Didn't happen

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11. 11

    Question 11. In the context of Chapter 2, what does the word 'creepers' refer to?

    • Small insects that crawl along the ground
    • People who move about slowly and stealthily
    • Shadows cast by the trees at night
    • Correct answer: Climbing jungle vines found across the island

    Creepers are climbing or trailing vines; in this chapter smoke rises among the creepers draped over the dead trees.

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12. 12

    Question 12. What does 'indignantly' mean as used to describe how Piggy speaks when he insists he has the conch?

    • With fear of being left out or alone
    • Correct answer: With anger at being treated unfairly
    • With a feeling of deep, quiet sadness
    • With confusion about what is happening

    Indignantly means with anger at unfair treatment; Piggy protests that he holds the conch and so has a right to be heard.

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13. 13

    Question 13. What is a 'tirade' as used to describe Piggy's speech after the fire?

    • Correct answer: A long, angry speech of criticism
    • A whispered conversation between two people
    • A formal address to a large group
    • A brief and cheerful remark

    A tirade is a long, angry speech of criticism; Piggy scolds the boys for rushing up the mountain and setting the island on fire.

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