Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge

Why is the story structured to begin with Farquhar’s execution?

• To create suspense from the start

• To establish Farquhar’s innocence

• To confuse the reader

• To highlight the soldiers’ emotions

What is the effect of delaying the revelation of Farquhar’s death?

• It creates a sense of relief.

• It intensifies the reader’s emotional response.

• It highlights the soldiers’ perspectives.

• It confuses the reader.

Which sentence BEST supports the theme of perception versus reality?

• "He observed that it was a gray eye and remembered having read that gray eyes were keenest."

• "The power of thought was restored; he knew that the rope had broken and he had fallen into the stream."

• "The company faced the bridge, staring stonily, motionless."

• "Peyton Farquhar was dead; his body, with a broken neck, swung gently from side to side beneath the timbers."

Which literary device does the author use to contrast Farquhar’s hopes and reality?

• Foreshadowing

• Irony

• Symbolism

• Allusion

What explicit detail shows that Farquhar’s escape is imagined?

• The soldiers fire at him.

• He feels pain in his neck.

• The forest appears surreal and endless.

• His wife waits at the gate.

How does the narrative structure contribute to the story’s twist?

• It presents events in chronological order.

• It alternates between Farquhar’s perspective and the soldiers’.

• It delays key information until the end.

• It includes multiple points of view.

What inference can be made about the captain’s decision to execute Farquhar?

• He is eager to enforce military law.

• He has personal animosity toward Farquhar.

• He views the execution as routine.

• He feels conflicted about his duty.

Which storytelling technique is used in the opening scene where Peyton Farquhar stands on the bridge, awaiting execution?

• Flashback

• In medias res

• Suspense

• Stream of Consciousness

Answer explanation

The opening scene uses 'in medias res' as it begins in the midst of action, with Peyton Farquhar already on the bridge, creating immediate tension and drawing the reader into the story without prior context.

Which sentence BEST creates suspense during Farquhar’s escape?

• "He observed that it was a gray eye and remembered having read that gray eyes were keenest."

• "The sound of a clear, high voice in a monotonous singsong now rang out behind him."

• "To die of hanging at the bottom of a river!"

• "The soldiers had almost finished reloading."

Answer explanation

The sentence "The soldiers had almost finished reloading" creates the most suspense as it implies imminent danger for Farquhar, heightening the tension of his escape and the urgency of his situation.

What is the purpose of the flashback in Section II of the story?

• To explain Farquhar's motivations

• To create suspense

• To confuse the reader

• To show the setting

Answer explanation

The flashback in Section II reveals Farquhar's background and motivations, helping readers understand his actions and decisions leading up to the critical events in the story.