Ruthless - William DeMille

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 4

Ruthless - William DeMille

William DeMille (1878-1955) was an American writer, most well-known for screenwriting and film directing. In this short story, a man sets a trap for a suspected thief at his summer vacation home.

Purpose for Reading: To understand how different points of view between characters create tension. To learn about how authors use situational irony to affect readers.

In this lesson, you’ll practice analyzing how a character’s choices and actions affect plot development. This means paying attention to how characters react to specific dialogue or events and how those reactions move the story forward. As you read, take notes on Judson’s dialogue and actions and how these lead to the story’s conclusion.

1. Which of the following describes how Judson feels about his possessions?

1. He doesn't mind sharing with others
2. He doesn't like anyone to disturb them
3. Only his family is allowed to touch them
4. He treasures them because he doesn't have much

2. What happened at Judson's mountain cabin last Winter?

1. He drank too much and got sick.
2. A thief broke in and stole his whiskey.
3. He decided to give his wife a key to the cabin.
4. His wife forbade him from drinking during the day.

3. What is Judson doing with the whiskey?

1. He is drinking all the whiskey before he leaves.
2. He is hiding the whiskey in a new location.
3. He is taking the whiskey home with him.
4. He is adding poison to the whiskey.

4. What does Judson want to happen if the thief returns?

1. He wants to give the thief a good scare.
2. He wants to provide the thief with help.
3. He wants to poison and kill the thief.
4. He wants to make the thief very sick.

5. Wat does Judson's wife think about his actions?

1. She does not approve of what Judson is doing.
2. She wants to help Judson protect his property.
3. She understands why Judson wants to kill the thief.
4. She thinks that Judson should be reported to the police.

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

1. It causes Alec to retaliate against Judson.
2. It prompts Marcia to go to warn Alec's wife about the poison.
3. It causes Judson to be distracted by Marcia's obvious distress.
4. It prompts Judson to consider throwing out the poisoned whiskey.

7. Why does Alec give Judson the whiskey?

1. He wants to stop Judson from killing.
2. He wants to say goodbye to Judson.
3. He believes the whiskey will make Judson sick.
4. He thinks it will help Judson recover from his fall.

8. How does Alec's arrival at the cabin affect the events of the story?

1. It leads to Marcia leaving her husband.
2. It leads to Judson drinking poisoned whiskey.
3. It leads to the theft of some of Judson's liquor.
4. It leads to an argument between Judson and Marcia.

9. Which statement expresses the main theme of the story?

1. No crime is bad enough to warrant another person's death.
2. It's important to take the opinion of loved ones into consideration.
3. There will be consequences if people take justice into their own hands.
4. It is fair to make sure a person's punishment fits the crime they committed.

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