THE ROBOT AND THE CAVE

Christopher Rowe

"This thing weighs a ton," said Stephanie, struggling not to drop the burden she shared with her uncle. 

"He weighs sixty-eight pounds," said Steph's uncle. Uncle Guillermo always referred to the SER, or
Submersible Exploratory Robot, as a "he." He motioned for Steph to stop and they carefully set the
machine down, softly as a feather. "The trail is smoother from here. Let's power him up and walk the rest
of the way himself."

"Uncle," said Steph, "If you've got to make an underwater robot my unofficial cousin, can't we at least
say that she's a girl?"

As usual, Steph was spending the summer in the Mexican state of Yucatan. Her uncle was a professor at
a local university. This summer was even more exciting than usual. Her uncle had decided she was finally
old enough to accompany him on an archaeological expedition to one of the bottomless, water-filled
caves in the area known as cenotes.

"But his name is Melvin!" teased Uncle Guillermo, replying to Steph's question. "What kind of name is
Melvin for a girl robot?"

Along with several of her uncle's students, they had been walking for several hours. The students were
strung out along the trail. They looked like a line of ants, carrying portable computer equipment, ropes,
cameras, and scuba diving equipment.

"You should at least pick a Mayan name," said Steph as her uncle flipped several switches at the base of
the little robot's back. She remembered that the area was the homeland of that ancient civilization.

"That's a good idea," said her uncle, looking up from the map he was consulting. "I'm part Mayan. Maybe
we could name him Guillermo, Junior!"

"The name Guillermo is of Spanish origin, Professor," said the robot, startling Steph.

"Perhaps 'Anhuarque' or 'Ahzuitok,' would suit your purposes."

Uncle Guillermo rolled his eyes like a character in a cartoon. "You're always so precise, Melvin! Why
don't you check your memory banks and tell me precisely how far we are from the entrance to the cave?
It's supposed to be hard to find."

While they were talking, Steph looked for a place to rest. The ground around the base of a nearby tree
was covered with vines. It reminded Steph of the felt apron her mother put around the bottom of their
Christmas tree every year. It seemed like a comfortable place to stretch out for a few minutes.

Just as she started the trail, however, the little robot bounded over in front of her on his metallic,
frog-like legs. "Wait, young miss!" he said.

"What is it?" she asked, alarmed.

Uncle Guillermo pulled her back into the middle of the trail. "It's the cenote we've come to explore!"

The robot extended its arms and parted the vines on the ground. Except there was no ground! Right at
the tree's base, a shaft opened straight down into the ground. The roots of the tree grew down one side,
looking exactly like a waterfall made of wood.

The surface of the water was far below, but Steph remembered that the cavern below the water went
down much further. There were dozens of water-filled rooms and passages extending hundreds of feet
downward.

Not very long from now, Steph would be swimming in those waters. Side by side with a submersible
robot, in search of ancient artifacts!

Directions: The following questions about figurative language from an excerpt from The Robot and the
Cave. Begin this assessment by rereading those pages. Then answer the questions. Be sure to use
evidence from the text when necessary.

1) Uncle Guillermo always referred to the SER, or Submersible Exploratory Robot, as a "he." He motioned
for Steph to stop and they carefully set the machine down, softly as a feather.

What is the figurative language used in this What is the literal meaning of this figurative
passage? language?

Hyperbole To carefully sit it down

2) Along with several of her uncle's students, they had been walking for several hours. The students
were strung out along the trail. They looked like a line of ants, carrying portable computer equipment,
ropes, cameras, and scuba diving equipment.
Why does the author compare the students to "a line of ants"?

Because they were carrying stuff out of line

3) The author writes that Uncle Guillermo rolled his eyes "like a character in a cartoon." Which
answer BEST explains this comparison?

A. Uncle Guillermo was making a big expression to show he thought something was ridiculous.

B. Uncle Guillermo was making a little expression that was difficult for most people to see.

C. Uncle Guillermo was trying to behave in a funny way like a character in a favorite cartoon.

D. Uncle Guillermo's eyes were bright and colorful and looked more animated than real eyes.

4) When Steph compares the vines to the felt apron on her Christmas tree, what does it help the
reader imagine?

A. soft green vines wrapped around the bases of trees

B. vines that look old and worn out from years of

C. sparkling vines that look almost festive or holiday-like

D. vines that feel rough and itchy like felt material does

At the end of the story, the author describes "a waterfall made of wood." Which answer BEST explains
this description?
 A. Branches on many trees were falling off the cliff like a waterfall.

B. The roots of many trees were growing all the way down the cliff.

C. The waterfall off the cliff had dark brown water the color of the wood.

D. The tree branches blew in the wind, which made a waterfall sound.

How was Steph feeling towards the robot (tone)? Use evidence to support your answer.

Accus him for peeking at it and stuff.