"The Ransom of Red Chief" Comprehension Check

In what state did the story take place?

• Ohio
• Canada
• Alabama
• Illinois

What was the first thing the boy does to Bill?

• hit him in the eye with a piece of brick
• ride on his back for ninety miles
• scalp him
• put a hot potato down his back

With what did Sam threaten Red Chief if he doesn't behave?

• broil him at the stake
• scalp him
• take him home
• tie him up

Which character spies on Summit from up above on Little Mountain to see how the townspeople were reacting to the kidnapping?

• Red Chief
• Sam
• Bill Driscoll
• Ebenezer Dorset

How can we infer the townspeople feel about the kidnapping?

• They are afraid someone will bring Red Chief back home. 
• They are afraid that someone may have murdered Red Chief. 
• They are worried and anxiously searching for Red Chief. 
• They are in disbelief that a kidnapping could happen in a small town like Summit.

What was Johnny's reaction when he was returned to his home?

• ran inside and hugged his mother
• threw a fit because he didn't want to go home
• couldn't wait to ride his horse
• couldn't wait to play Indian with his family

An example of situational irony in O. Henry's story "The Ransom of Red Chief is that the kidnappers...

• choose a child of a well-to-do citizen to kidnap for ransom
• actually pay money to the child's parent to return the kidnapped victim
• are named Sam and Bill
• do not choose a very good location to exchange the ransom money

The climax of the plot occurs when...

• Ebenezer Dorset's letter demands $250 in order to receive Johnny back home
• Red Chief hits Bill Driscoll with a piece of brick
• Sam and Bill hide Johnny in a wagon and take him to the cave
• Johnny tells the kidnappers that he wants to stay with him

Why didn't the boy try to escape from Bill and Sam?

• He did not know where he was.

• He was having too much fun.

• He was too far from home.

• He was afraid they would catch him.

Who suffered the most in this story?

• Red Chief
• Bill
• the narrator
• Ebvenezer Dorset