Ruthless: Text Questions

What event sets the main action of the story in motion?

• Judson forgetting his boots

• Marcia’s departure for Alec’s house

• the theft of some of Judson’s liquor

• the end of the summer vacation season

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CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

How does Alec’s arrival at the cabin affect the events of the story?

• It leads to Marcia leaving her husband.

• It leads to Judson drinking poisoned whiskey.

• It leads to the theft of some of Judson’s liquor.

• It leads to an argument between Judson and Marcia.

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CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

Which of the following actions causes Marcia’s fear?

• “he turned from the bathroom cabinet, entered the expensively primitive living room of his mountain camp, and crossed to a closet set in the pine wall” (Paragraph 2)

• “he had been packing his things away for the Winter, and in a few minutes would be driving back to civilization” (Paragraph 2)

• “she saw the bottle in her husband’s hand” (Paragraph 7)

• “one by one he dropped the tablets into the bottle and held it up to watch them dissolve” (Paragraph 12)

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CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

How does the conversation between Judson and his wife develop the plot of the passage?

• It causes Alec to retaliate against Judson.

• It prompts Marcia to go to warn Alec’s wife about the poison.

• It causes Judson to be distracted by Marcia’s obvious distress.

• It prompts Judson to consider throwing out the poisoned whiskey.

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CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

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.

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

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.” (Paragraph 14)

• “Also, the use of rat poison is quite legal. The only way any rat can get into this closet is to break in.” (Paragraph 17)

• “We won’t be here till next spring. I can’t bear to think of that deathtrap waiting there all the time.” (Paragraph 22)

• “‘and don’t worry about your poor, abused little burglar. No one is going to get hurt who hasn’t got it coming to him.’” (Paragraph 25)

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CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

What would be an example of situational irony from the text?

• Marcia goes to warn Alec's wife about the poison.

• Judson drinks the poison that he intended for the burglar.

• Judson was ruthless in his business dealings and ruthless in vengeance.

• Judson says his use of rat poison is legal.

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CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

What would be an example of foreshadowing from the text?

• “When it comes to protecting my property I make my own laws.” His deep voice suggested a big dog

  growling at threatened loss of a bone. (par. 19)

• “That’s not the point,” he said. “If a man holds me up and robs me of five dollars it makes me just as

  sore as if he took a hundred. A thief’s a thief.” (par. 21)

• He chuckled once more at her words. “We’ll take a chance on that,” he said. “I’ve made my pile by

  taking chances. If I should die, you can do as you please. The stuff will be yours.” (par. 23)

• As she went down the path he started to close the closet door; then paused as he remembered his

  hunting boots drying outside on the porch. (par. 26)

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CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

What would be the closest example of retributive justice?

• Judson puts poison in the bottle so the thief might die.

• The thief pays back to Judson exactly what was stolen.

• Judson catches the thief, forgives him, and lets him off with a warning.

• Instead of jail time, the thief is required to attend counseling for stealing and drinking.

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CCSS.RI.7.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.7.7

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.7

What best describes the character of Judson Webb?

• vindictive, possessive

• forgiving, caring

• forgetful, careless

• loyal, protective

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CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3