"The Ransom of Red Chief" Guided Reading Questions

1. When the narrator says that, “it seemed like a good thing; but wait till I tell you.” We can infer that

• The best is yet to come
• their plans did not work out
• they have seen too many apparitions
• the narrator doesn't know anything

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

2. From what we read in the first three paragraphs, we can assume that the town of Summit is

• a large city
• full of mean spirited citizens
• a place with beautiful scenery
• small, with few policemen

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RI.6.1

3. Naming the town Summit is an example of

• metaphor
• alliteration
• allusion
• irony

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.5.5

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

4. We know the meaning of the word tight in the fourth paragraph is STINGY because the narrator mentions that Ebenezer Dorset is

• a prominent citizen
• the father of a ten-year-old boy
• someone who would "melt down"
• a collection-plate passer

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

5. We first learn of the boy’s mischievous and nasty character when he

• throws rocks at a kitten
• throws a piece of brick at Bill
• accepts a ride and a bag of candy
• imitated a bear

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.6.2

6. One source of humor in the story is that, although he is kidnapped, the boy

• eats well
• is "having the time of his life"
• "can kick hard"
• gives a speech during dinner

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

7. Another way the boy is not like a typical kidnapping victim is

• his joyful and loving ways
• he has bad dreams
• his imagination
• he doesn't want to go home

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

8. The narrator’s dream shows that he

• feels like the kidnappers and the kidnapped have switched roles
• is afraid of pirates with red hair
• feels guilty for having kidnapped the young man
• has a strong fear of chains and trees

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

9. Sam’s first indication that their kidnapping plot isn’t working out as planned is when

• Bill says, "You're afraid. You was to be burned at sunrise..."
• Sam tells Bill to cook breakfast with the "Chief"
• Sam takes the rock from the boy
• He sees "a peaceful landscape" when he looks down to Summit

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

10. The narrator compares Red Chief’s war-whoop to David “when he knocked out the champion Goliath.” This analogy shows us that

• the underdog in this story is also winning
• Sam has a good knowledge of the Bible
• Red Chief makes very loud noices at inappropriate times
• Red Chief also wants to kill the giant Goliath

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RI.6.7

CCSS.RI.7.7

CCSS.RL.7.7

CCSS.RL.8.7