Question 101·Medium·Central Ideas and Details
The following passage is adapted from Jules Verne’s 1870 novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas. Professor Aronnax describes his companion Ned Land, who is being held aboard Captain Nemo’s submarine, the Nautilus.
Ned Land was a man who valued action above speculation. While I found endless fascination in Captain Nemo’s scientific wonders, Ned prowled the metallic corridors like a caged tiger, his arms folded tightly and his gaze fixed on the invisible surface that lay miles above us. Courteous words could not soothe him, nor could dazzling marvels distract him; freedom alone mattered to him, and every additional hour beneath the waves weighed upon him like an iron anchor.
Which choice best describes Ned Land’s attitude as portrayed in the passage?
For attitude or perspective questions, first underline the words and images that describe how the character acts, feels, or reacts (similes, metaphors, and emotional verbs are especially important). Summarize that attitude in a short phrase in your own words before looking at the choices. Then eliminate any option that conflicts with key phrases in the passage or adds ideas (like fear, admiration, or doubt) that are never mentioned. Finally, choose the option that matches both your summary and multiple specific details from the text.
Hints
Focus on the imagery used for Ned
Look closely at phrases like “caged tiger,” “gaze fixed on the invisible surface,” and “every additional hour beneath the waves weighed upon him like an iron anchor.” What kind of mood or feeling do these images suggest?
Notice what does not affect Ned
The passage mentions “courteous words” and “dazzling marvels.” How does Ned react to these things? Does he seem impressed, comforted, scared, or something else?
Test each answer against specific text
For each choice, ask: Can I underline exact words in the passage that clearly support this description of Ned? If not, that choice is probably wrong.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify what the question is asking
The question asks for Ned Land’s attitude as portrayed in the passage. That means you need to decide how he feels about being on the submarine, based only on the narrator’s descriptions.
Collect key description words and images
Reread the lines about Ned:
- “valued action above speculation”
- “prowled the metallic corridors like a caged tiger”
- “gaze fixed on the invisible surface that lay miles above us”
- “Courteous words could not soothe him, nor could dazzling marvels distract him”
- “freedom alone mattered to him”
- “every additional hour beneath the waves weighed upon him like an iron anchor”
Ask: do these sound positive, negative, or neutral? Do they show comfort and interest, or discomfort and impatience?
Put Ned’s attitude into your own words
Combine those clues:
- “Caged tiger” suggests feeling trapped and pacing around.
- His eyes are fixed on the surface above, not on the submarine around him.
- He cannot be soothed or distracted by marvels; only freedom matters.
- Each hour feels heavy and burdensome.
In your own words, Ned feels trapped, impatient, and focused on getting out, not on enjoying the submarine or its science.
Match your summary to the answer choices
Now compare your summary to the options:
- (A) says he is enthralled by technological marvels, but the text says marvels cannot distract him.
- (B) says he doubts Professor Aronnax’s expertise, which is never mentioned.
- (C) says he is fearful of Captain Nemo’s anger, but there is no hint of fear—only frustration at being confined.
- (D) describes someone who is restless and longs to escape the submarine, which matches the “caged tiger,” focus on the surface, and desire for freedom.
So the best choice is D) He is restless and longs to escape the submarine.