Question 19·Easy·Central Ideas and Details
The following text is from an original short story. The narrator has just boarded an airplane for the first time.
Before takeoff, I braced myself for deafening engines and stomach-churning bumps. Instead, when the plane finally lifted into the air, the cabin hummed gently, and the ascent felt as smooth as sliding across iced glass. A surprised grin crept onto my face—this was nothing like the chaos I had imagined.
According to the passage, how does the narrator feel about the actual takeoff compared with what was expected?
For questions asking how something in the passage compares to what was expected, first underline the words that show the expectation (often before a contrast word like “but” or “instead”), then underline the words that describe what actually happens. Note whether each set of words is positive, negative, intense, or mild. Finally, pick the answer that reflects both sides of the comparison and matches the narrator’s tone, and eliminate any choice that contradicts a clear phrase from the text (such as “nothing like” or “exactly as I imagined”).
Hints
Locate the expectation vs. reality contrast
Reread the first sentence (before takeoff) and then the sentence that begins with “Instead.” How do these two parts differ?
Check the descriptive words
Underline or note the words that describe what the narrator expected (like “deafening”) and what actually happened (like how the cabin sounded and how the ascent felt). Are these positive or negative?
Pay attention to the narrator’s reaction
Look at the phrase “A surprised grin crept onto my face—this was nothing like the chaos I had imagined.” What does that tell you about how the narrator feels about the real takeoff compared with the imagined one?
Match the answer to both parts of the comparison
The question asks about “actual takeoff compared with what was expected.” Make sure the option you choose correctly reflects both the original fearful expectation and the much different real experience.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify the narrator’s expectations
Look at the first sentence: “Before takeoff, I braced myself for deafening engines and stomach-churning bumps.”
- “Braced myself” shows the narrator is afraid or tense.
- “Deafening engines” and “stomach-churning bumps” describe something very loud and rough. So, the narrator expects a noisy, chaotic, uncomfortable takeoff.
Find the description of the actual takeoff
Next, read what actually happens: “Instead, when the plane finally lifted into the air, the cabin hummed gently, and the ascent felt as smooth as sliding across iced glass.”
- The contrast word “Instead” signals that reality is different from what was expected.
- “Hummed gently” suggests quiet, soft sound.
- “As smooth as sliding across iced glass” emphasizes how easy and smooth the motion feels. These details show the real takeoff is gentle and smooth, not rough or scary.
Notice the narrator’s emotional reaction
The narrator continues: “A surprised grin crept onto my face—this was nothing like the chaos I had imagined.”
- “Surprised grin” shows pleasant surprise, not fear or disappointment.
- “Nothing like the chaos I had imagined” confirms that the experience is the opposite of the scary, chaotic scene expected.
Compare expectation and reality to choose the answer
The narrator expected a deafening, bumpy, chaotic takeoff but instead experiences a gentle, very smooth ascent and feels pleasantly surprised. The only answer choice that matches this clear contrast is: The takeoff is calmer and smoother than expected.