"A Man Who Had No Eyes"

Read this phrase from paragraph 2. he was a shaggy, thick-necked fellow What is the connotation of shaggy?

• hunched over
•  sloppy
• poor
•  blind

Read these sentences from paragraph 4. A few years ago he had been little more than a skilled laborer; now he was successful, respected, admired. . . .Insurance. . . . And he had done it alone, unaided, struggling beneath handicaps. . . . These sentences are an example of —

• foreshadowing
• symbolism
• dialogue
• flashback

How have Mr. Parsons’ experiences affected the way he looks at beggars?

• He looks down on them.
• He is skeptical of the stories they tell.
• He is afraid of becoming like them.
• He can relate to their suffering, so he does not want to insult them.

After the explosion, Mr. Parsons

• worked hard and became a successful insurance salesman
• used a large insurance settlement to buy a hotel
• changed his name so no one would know what he had done
• worked his way up at a hotel until he became the owner

The beggar tells people this version of the story because he thinks that people 

• will give him money if they feel sorry for him
• want to hear a sad story
• should know the truth
• should be reminded of the explosion

In paragraph 26, the beggar learns that he is talking to the man that he climbed over. How does the beggar respond to this?

• He apologizes to Mr. Parsons.

• He gets angry and accuses Mr. Parsons of laughing at him.

• He turns and walks away embarrassed.

• to create something new

Read the last two sentences of the story. “Well,” said Mr. Parsons, “don’t make such a row about it, Markwardt. So am I.” What does Mr. Parsons mean by make such a row about it?

• . to be really loud or noisy
• . to focus all of one’s energy on something
• to call attention to something as if it is really important
• to create something new   

This story could best be used to support which of these ideas?

• Life is not as bad as it seems.
• Sooner or later we have to pay for the things we do.
• An event is only tragic if we allow it to ruin us.   
• There are worse things than being poor.

Which of these events happen first in Mr. Parsons’ life?

• He buys a hotel.
• He buys a lighter from a beggar.
• He tries to get out of a building after an explosion.
• He goes blind.

What is the main difference between Mr. Parsons and the beggar?

• The beggar is blind.
• Mr. Parsons does not feel sorry for himself.
• Mr. Parsons makes his money stealing from others.
• The beggar suffered a great tragedy.