Read this sentence from Paragraph 1 of the passage. Forty-seven years ago one of these Calaveras King Sequoias was laboriously cut down, that the stump might be had for a dancing-floor.

Then read this dictionary entry.

laboriously adv. 1. with great attention to detail; 2. with excessive effort; 3. without spontaneity

What does the word laboriously mean in the sentence from the passage?

1. with difficulty

2. with accuracy

3. in a dull manner

4. in a simple manner

Read the excerpt from "the most dangerous game." again rainsford lifted the heavy knocker, and let it fall. the door opened then, opened as suddenly as if it were on a spring, and rainsford stood blinking in the river of glaring gold light that poured out. the first thing rainsford's eyes discerned was the largest man rainsford had ever seen—a gigantic creature, solidly made and black bearded to the waist. in his hand the man held a long-barreled revolver, and he was pointing it straight at rainsford's heart. the details of this excerpt show that rainsford sees ivan as a(n) individual.

Lens quotation: "character is what you are in the dark." -dwight lyman moody

Read the excerpt below and answer the question. nice town, y'know what i mean? nobody very remarkable ever come out of it, s'far as we know. the earliest tombstones in the cemetery up there on the mountain say 1670-1680-they're grovers and cartwrights and gibbses and herseys-same names as are around here now. in at least one hundred words, discuss the significance of the stage manager's narration in our town. analyze the text in terms of its tone, word choice, and meaning. what purpose does this narration serve in the play?