Ruthless

Which line from the story BEST shows a history of Judson being ruthless?

• As he looked at the shelf on which the liquor stood his smile was not attractive.

• But she paused in surprise as she saw the bottle in her husband’s hand.

• She had learned to dread that tone of his voice; it was the tone he used when he was planning to “put something over” in a business deal.

• ‘When it comes to protecting my property I make my own laws.’

Read the following line from the story: His deep voice suggested a big dog growling at threatened loss of a bone.

What conclusion can the reader draw about Judson from this line?

• Judson views his wife as a source of conflict.

• Judson will protect his possessions at all costs.

• Judson believes he has earned what he has.

• Judson believes fair is fair.

Did you like the story?

• YES

• NO

• KIND OF

• IT WAS ALRIGHT.

In paragraph 29, the word dazed means --

The author wrote this selection most likely to --

• To emphasize the dangers of focusing on vengeance at all costs

• To describe someone obsessed with his possessions

• To discourage people from theft and crime

• To illustrate life in a mountain town

Read the following excerpt from the story:

It was useless to argue, she knew. He had always been ruthless in business and whenever anything crossed him. Things had to be done his way. She turned toward the outer door with a sigh of defeat. “I’ll walk down the road and say good bye at the farmhouse,” she said quietly. “You can pick me up there.” She had made up her mind to tell Alec’s wife. Someone had to know.

The language used to describe Marcia emphasizes --

• That she is frustrated by the thief who tried to harm her family

• That she strongly believes that the punishment should match the severity of the crime

• That she feels hopeless and tired of trying to convince her husband to do the right thing

• That she is terrified of what her husband will do to her

Which statement expresses the main theme of the story? 

• No crime is bad enough to warrant another person’s death.

• It’s important to take the opinions of loved ones into consideration.

• There will be consequences if people take justice into their own hands.

• It is fair to make sure a person’s punishment fits the crime they committed.

Which detail from the text BEST reveals Judson’s belief about crime and punishment?

• "He corked his bottled vengeance and set it back on the shelf alongside the little whiskey glass."

• "Also, the use of rat poison is quite legal. The only way any rat can get into this closet is to break in."

• "We won’t be here till next spring. I can’t bear to think of that deathtrap waiting there all the time."

• "And don’t worry about your poor, abused burglar. No one is going to get hurt who hasn’t got it coming to him."

What type of person is Judson? Cite evidence from the text to support your answer.

Answer explanation

Possible responses should focus on character traits (protective, cruel, angry, stubborn, vengeful, controlling, unforgiving) and text evidence to support those traits.