Mr. Copel: Network – ELA: Personification: There Will Come Soft Rains by Ray Bradbury
There Will Come Soft Rains – by Ray Bradbury – 1950
Read the story and answer the following questions.
1.
At the end of the story, what still remains? a.
One wall which repeated the time b.
The cleaning mice c.
The family d.
The dog
2.
What is the setting of the story? a.
During WWII b.
An advanced future c.
Twenty years in the past d.
One hundred years in the past
3.
How do you know the people in the house are dead? a.
The silhouettes on the side of the house indicate former life now gone b.
The dog died, so the people must have died too c.
The daily activities continue d.
The wall clock said the people died
4.
Who is the author of the story? a.
Ray Bradbury b.
Willa Cather c.
Leslie Norris d.
Edger Allen Poe
5.
What happens to the dog once he enters the house? a.
Runs around looking for people b.
Takes a nap c.
Dies d.
Both a and c e.
None of the above
6.
What cleans the house? a.
The automatic cleaner b.
The family dog c.
The people living in the house d.
The robot mice
7.
What two things are being contrasted in this story? a.
Destruction of humanity and survival of nature b.
Survival of humanity and loss of faith c.
Survival of humanity and loss of nature d.
Destruction of humanity and loss of faith

Mr. Copel: Network – ELA: Personification: There Will Come Soft Rains by Ray Bradbury
8.
Where are the people who live in the house? a.
Dead b.
Moved away c.
On vacation d.
Late getting up
9.
What was unique about the nursery? a.
It was full of babies b.
It had flat wallpaper decorated with animals c.
It was all colored in black d.
The animals on the walls seemed to come to life
10.
How is the house finally “killed”? a.
Hurricane b.
Decay over time c.
Fire d.
Radiation blast
11.
Which appliance starts the day off for everyone living in the house? a.
Breakfast stove b.
Voice-clock c.
Weather box d.
Robot mice
12.
What seems to have a life of its own and is personified? a.
The metal crickets b.
The walls c.
The mice d.
The fire
13.
As everything is continuing as usual in the house, what is actually happening? a.
The family is preparing to move out b.
The house is growing larger c.
The house is continuing to function without technology d.
The house is slowly falling apart
14.
When the fire occurs, does the house try to save itself? a.
Yes b.
No

Mr. Copel: Network – ELA: Personification: There Will Come Soft Rains by Ray Bradbury
15.
Personification is when something that is not alive is given human qualities; such as the tree spread its arms over the open field. Compare the house, both in its normal operation and in its final hours, to a human. Give examples, how is the house personified?
16.
Explain what has happened to the occupants of the house. Quote evidence from the story to support your answer.
17.
Why does the house keep on going even after the occupants are gone?
18.
Why do you think the author had the house recite the poem by Sara Teasdale, There Will Come
Soft Rains?
How does the theme of this poem relate to the story? Give specific examples of lines in the poem that relate to the theme of the story.

Mr. Copel: Network – ELA: Personification: There Will Come Soft Rains by Ray Bradbury
19.
Explain how the fire in the story is personified, given human qualities. Give three examples from the story.
20.
What can you guess about the quality of life of the former inhabitants of the house from the evidence left behind? Give evidence from the story to support your answer.