The Mississippi: Dual Passages
Mary O'Dell

The Mississippi River

Without question America's greatest river, the Mississippi, has made major contributions to the physical and economic growth of the nation. Coursing through the heart of America, it supplies water for the cities and industries that have located along its banks. In 1705 the first cargo was floated down the river from the Indian country around Wabash. This was a load of 15,000 bear and deer hides.. The Mississippi River is the main stem of a network of inland navigable waterways which form a system of about 12,350 miles in length.

from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, by Mark Twain

Tom’s mind was made up now. He was gloomy and desperate. He was a forsaken, friendless boy, he said; nobody loved him; when they found out what they had driven him to, perhaps they would be sorry; he had tried to do right and get along, but they would not let him; since nothing would do them but to be rid of him, let it be so; and let them blame him for the consequences—why shouldn't they? What right had the friendless to complain? Yes, they had forced him to it at last: he would lead a life of crime. There was no choice.

(Tom is now joined by Joe)…As the two boys walked sorrowing along, they made a new compact to stand by each other and be brothers and never separate till death relieved them of their troubles. Then they began to lay their plans. Joe was for being a hermit, and living on crusts in a remote cave, and dying, some time, of cold and want and grief; but after listening to Tom, he conceded that there were some conspicuous advantages about a life of crime, and so he consented to be a pirate.

Three miles below St. Petersburg, at a point where the Mississippi River was a trifle over a mile wide, there was a long, narrow, wooded island, with a shallow bar at the head of it, and this offered well as a rendezvous. It was not inhabited; it lay far over toward the further shore, abreast a dense and almost wholly unpeopled forest. So Jackson's Island was chosen. Who were to be the subjects of their piracies was a matter that did not occur to them.

Read the passage on the left to answer the following questions:

12)
How might the structure of the first passage best be distinguished from that of the second passage?
A) Only the first passage is really about the Mississippi River.
B) The first passage is descriptive; the second passage is discursive.
C) The first passage is informational; the second passage is fictional.
D) Only the second passage contains real content, instead of just meaningless facts.
13)
Which best compares and contrasts these two passages featuring the Mississippi River?
A) Both of these passages tell rollicking tales of adventure and friendship along with muddy waters of the Mississippi.
B) Both of these passages provide valuable economic information about how the Mississippi has been a valued American resource.
C) One passage provides objective economic data about the river, while the other tells the story of two boys adventuring on its waters.
D) One passage emphasizes the dangers present along the Mississippi River, while the other celebrates the beautiful delights of the river.
14)
Which best describes the difference of how the Mississippi River is presented in each passage?
A) The first passage is a part of a novel, while the second passage could be a part of an encyclopedia entry.
B) The first passage has an exciting plot, while the second passage simply presents objective, factual information.
C) The first passage is written from a personal, opinionated point of view, while the second passage does not have a specific tone or voice.
D) The first passage presents factual information about the Mississippi River, while the second passage simply uses the Mississippi River for plot points and setting.
15)
Which BEST describes the contrast in themes of the two passages?
A) The first passage has a theme redemption and the second has a theme of commerce.
B) The first has a theme of revenge and the second has a theme of bittersweet loss.
C) The first has a theme of historical origin and the second has theme of adventure.
D) None of these choices represent a contrast between these two passages, as the passages are far more alike than they are different.