"An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" Study Guide

Which two statements best describe how the shifts in point of view help develop Peyton Farquhar’s character?

• They focus on the dishonesty of his actions.

• They indicate how the war has affected him.

  
  

• They show how strongly he tries to avoid death.

  
  

• They reveal his acceptance in taking responsibility.

  
  

• They explain his eagerness to place his trust in others.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Which sentence correctly uses a comma to set off an introductory phrase?

• After time slows, for Farquhar he cannot escape death.

  
  

• After time, slows for Farquhar he, cannot escape death.

• After time slows for Farquhar, he cannot escape death.

  
  

• After, time slows for Farquhar, he cannot escape death.

Tags

CCSS.RF.3.3B

CCSS.RF.3.3C

CCSS.RF.3.3D

CCSS.RF.4.3A

CCSS.RF.5.3A

Read this sentence from paragraph 3.

The liberal military code makes provision for hanging many kinds of persons, and gentlemen are not excluded.

What does the language in this sentence suggest about Farquhar?

• He is a citizen of good standing in his community.

  
  

• He is wealthy enough to offer the army a bribe.

  
  

• He has made provisions for his wife after his death.

  
  

• He realizes his misdeeds have landed him in a noose.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Based on paragraph 8, the reader can most reasonably conclude that —

• Farquhar had an injury that prevented him from joining the Confederate army

• Farquhar was ashamed of the defeat of the Confederate army at Corinth

• Farquhar was motivated to help the Confederate cause in any way he could

• Farquhar had the desire to sacrifice his life in service of the Confederate cause

  
  

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Read this sentence from paragraph 8.

. . . . and who in good faith and without too much qualification assented to at least a part
of the frankly villainous dictum that all is fair in love and war.

The word dictum comes from the Latin root dicere, meaning “to say.” Based on that
information, what is the meaning of dictum as it is used in the above sentence?

• an idea

• a feeling

• an assumption

• an expression

  
  

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

How does Farquhar’s reaction to the report provided by the Federal scout create a
moral dilemma?

• He puts his trust in the scout above his own common sense.

  
  

• He puts his desire to be a hero above a significant risk to his life.

• He puts his trust in his own abilities above his limitations as a civilian.

• He puts his desire for revenge above the risk of disobeying a direct order.

  
  

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

The author uses backstory in paragraphs 9–17 to —

• show how Farquhar fought the Yanks’ advance 

  
  

• emphasize why Farquhar disobeyed the army’s order

• explain why Farquhar’s execution took place 

  
  

• describe how Farquhar’s wife reacted to army guests

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.5

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

Read these sentences from paragraph 18.

From this state he was awakened—ages later, it seemed to him—by the pain of a sharp pressure upon his throat, followed by a sense of suffocation. Keen, poignant agonies seemed to shoot from his neck downward through every fiber of his body and limbs.

The sensory language in these sentences best highlights the author’s intention to make the
reader feel —

• anger that the military punished Farquhar 

  
  

• sympathy for Farquhar’s wife and children

• curiosity about why Farquhar is being hanged

• discomfort regarding Farquhar’s situation

  
  

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Part A
What can the reader most reasonably infer from the descriptions of Farquhar’s experiences in Part III of the story?

• He is innocent of his alleged crimes.

  
  

• He is dying from drowning.

• He believes that he has escaped.

  
  

• He believes that he has been shot.

  
  

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.5

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

Part B
Which two quotes from the selection best support the answer to Part A?

• Keen, poignant agonies seemed to shoot from his neck downward through every fiber of his body and limbs. (paragraph 18)

• But his disobedient hands gave no heed to the command. They beat the water vigorously with quick, downward strokes, forcing him to the surface. (paragraph 19)

  
  

• The captain had drawn his pistol, but did not fire; the others were unarmed. (paragraph 21)

• By night fall he was fatigued, footsore, famishing. The thought of his wife and children urged him on. (paragraph 34)

  
  

• . . . his body, with a broken neck, swung gently from side to side beneath the timbers of the Owl Creek bridge. (paragraph 37)

  
  

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2