In the beginning there was absolutely nothing, and what existed was covered by death and hunger. He thought, “Let me have a self,” and he created the mind. As he moved about . . . water was generated. Froth formed on the water . . . [which] solidified to become earth. . . . After resting, he divided himself in three parts [fire, sun, and air]. . . . He caused his self to split into two matching parts . . . and from them arose husband and wife. . . . and from their union arose the human beings of the earth. . . . She changed to a cow . . . he changed to a bull . . . and from their union cows arose. —The Principal Upanishads

Based on the explanation of one of the elements, explain what some values of this culture might be.

What point is the author trying to make by comparing the travel times of the first transcontinental railroad and the first transcontinental flight?

Read the excerpt from "annabel lee," by edgar allan poe. and this was the reason that, long ago, in this kingdom by the sea, a wind blew out of a cloud, chilling my beautiful annabel lee; so that her highborn kinsmen came and bore her away from me, to shut her up in a sepulchre in this kingdom by the sea. how does the rhythm of the excerpt support the theme of the poem? the rhythm changes on the phrase “a kingdom by the sea,” emphasizing poe’s distrust of a monarchy. the rhythm changes on the phrase “bore her away from me,” emphasizing poe’s desire to be reunited the rhythm changes on the words “chilling” and “sepulchre,” emphasizing poe’s complaint about unexpected death. the rhythm changes on the words “lee” and “me,” emphasizing poe’s fear that his bond with his love is fragile.

What is the effect of narrator's word choice on the tone of this passage? the words "my heart shrank within itself" create a fearful tone. the words "wounded his fellow" develop a remorseful tone. the words "struck harsh upon my ears" suggest an irritated tone. the words "better-omened" set a hopeful tone. excerpt from "the cabuliwallah" by rabindranath tagore i was sitting in my study, looking through the accounts, when some one entered, saluting respectfully, and stood before me. it was rahmun the cabuliwallah. at first i did not recognise him. he had no bag, nor the long hair, nor the same vigour that he used to have. but he smiled, and i knew him again. "when did you come, rahmun? " i asked him. "last evening," he said, "i was released from jail." the words struck harsh upon my ears. i had never before talked with one who had wounded his fellow, and my heart shrank within itself when i realised this; for i felt that the day would have been better-omened had he not turned up.