Understanding Chekhov's The Bet

What is the meaning of the word "caprice" as used in "The Bet" by Anton Chekhov?

• A type of musical instrument

• A sudden and unaccountable change of mood or behavior

• A legal document

• A form of punishment

According to "The Bet," how many years was the lawyer supposed to remain in solitary confinement?

• 5 years

• 10 years

• 15 years

• 20 years

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

Which of the following best describes the central theme of "The Bet"?

• The importance of friendship

• The value of human life versus material wealth

• The dangers of travel

• The excitement of gambling

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CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.8.2

Who are the two main characters involved in the bet in "The Bet"?

• The banker and the lawyer

• The judge and the prisoner

• The doctor and the patient

• The teacher and the student

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

Based on the context in "The Bet," what does the word "solitary" most likely mean in the phrase "solitary confinement"?

• Comfortable

• Alone

• Dangerous

• Noisy

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CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

Which detail from the text best supports the inference that the lawyer changed during his confinement?

• He asked for books on many subjects.

• He played chess with the banker.

• He escaped from the lodge.

• He wrote a letter renouncing the money.

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CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

How does the author develop the theme of the corrupting power of money throughout "The Bet"?

• By showing the lawyer’s growing desire for wealth

• By describing the banker’s fear of losing his fortune

• By illustrating both characters’ changing attitudes toward the bet’s prize

• By focusing on the lawyer’s family background

How does Chekhov contrast the points of view of the banker and the lawyer regarding the value of life?

• The banker values life for its pleasures, while the lawyer comes to value knowledge and spiritual growth over material wealth.

• Both characters agree that money is the most important thing in life.

• The lawyer values life for its pleasures, while the banker values knowledge.

• Both characters believe that solitary confinement is easy.

Which strategy would best help a reader determine the meaning of the word "renounce" as used in the lawyer’s letter in "The Bet"?

• Guessing based on the length of the word

• Looking at the surrounding sentences for context clues

• Skipping the word and moving on

• Counting the number of times it appears

After reading "The Bet," which piece of textual evidence best supports the inference that the banker felt guilty about his actions at the end of the story?

• “He looked at the lawyer through the window.”

• “He wept and kissed the lawyer’s head.”

• “He counted his money in the bank.”

• “He locked the door behind him.”