The Ransom Of Red Chief Trivia Quiz

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The Ransom Of Red Chief Trivia Quiz - Quiz

Have you read O Henry's short story "The Ransom of Red Chief?" How far do you still remember its characters and storyline? With this trivia quiz, you can check that. "The Ransom of Red Chief" was first published in July 1907. The story revolves around two kidnappers, Sam and Bill, who kidnap Alabamian's son and demand ransom money from him. What happened at the end of the story? Did the two get the money? Let's test your knowledge with the help of this quiz. .


Questions and Answers
  • 1. 

    Sam and Bill chose Summit for the kidnapping because

    • A.

      It doesn't have a police force.

    • B.

      In small towns, parents are very close to their children

    • C.

      The town is close to the border.

    • D.

      All of the above

    Correct Answer
    B. In small towns, parents are very close to their children
    Explanation
    In small towns, parents are very close to their children, which makes it easier for Sam and Bill to kidnap someone without arousing suspicion. The close-knit community and strong relationships between parents and children would make it more difficult for them to go unnoticed or for the kidnapping to be kept a secret. Additionally, the fact that Summit doesn't have a police force and is close to the border could also contribute to their decision, as it may provide easier escape routes or less law enforcement presence.

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  • 2. 

    Sam and Bill hide Johnny at

    • A.

      A mountain cave

    • B.

      A barn outside Summit

    • C.

      An old farmhouse

    • D.

      Bridge

    Correct Answer
    A. A mountain cave
    Explanation
    Sam and Bill decided to hide Johnny in a mountain cave. This is a good choice because a mountain cave offers natural protection and camouflage. It is secluded and difficult to access, making it less likely for Johnny to be discovered. Additionally, a mountain cave provides shelter from the elements and can provide a temporary safe haven for Johnny until it is safe for him to come out.

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  • 3. 

    Bill becomes fearful of Johnny when Johnny

    • A.

      Sets Bill's hat on fire

    • B.

      Tries to scalp Bill

    • C.

      Threatens to have Bill jailed for life

    • D.

      Tries to kill him

    Correct Answer
    B. Tries to scalp Bill
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "Tries to scalp Bill." This is because scalping is an act of violence that involves forcibly removing the scalp from someone's head. It is a brutal and aggressive action that would understandably instill fear in Bill.

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  • 4. 

    Sam and Bill lower their ransom demands because

    • A.

      Sam feels sorry for Johnny

    • B.

      They learn Ebenezer is not as rich as they thought

    • C.

      Bill wants to get rid of Johnny

    • D.

      All of the above

    Correct Answer
    C. Bill wants to get rid of Johnny
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "Bill wants to get rid of Johnny." This can be inferred from the given options, as none of the other options explicitly suggest that Bill wants to remove Johnny. Sam feeling sorry for Johnny or learning that Ebenezer is not as rich as they thought may influence their decision to lower the ransom demands, but it does not indicate Bill's motive.

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  • 5. 

    Mr. Dorset's reply to the ransom note states that he

    • A.

      Agrees to the kidnapper's demands

    • B.

      Needs proof that the boy is still alive

    • C.

      Wants $250 to take the boy back

    • D.

      Doesn't want to give any ransom money

    Correct Answer
    C. Wants $250 to take the boy back
    Explanation
    Mr. Dorset's reply to the ransom note indicates that he wants $250 to take the boy back. This suggests that he is willing to pay the ransom amount in order to have the boy returned to him.

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  • 6. 

    At the end of the story, Johnny

    • A.

      Steals back the ransom money

    • B.

      Wants to stay with Sam and Bill

    • C.

      Admits he is not really Ebenezer's

    • D.

      Wants to kill both Sam and Bill

    Correct Answer
    B. Wants to stay with Sam and Bill
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "Wants to stay with Sam and Bill". This can be inferred from the given options as the other options do not align with the information provided. It is mentioned that Johnny steals back the ransom money, which indicates that he is not interested in staying with Ebenezer. Additionally, there is no mention of Johnny wanting to kill Sam and Bill, so that option can be ruled out as well. Therefore, the only logical option remaining is that Johnny wants to stay with Sam and Bill.

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  • 7. 

    "He begins to pick at grass and little sticks aimlessly. For an hour I was afraid he had gone crazy." The meaning of underlined word is

    • A.

      Without skill

    • B.

      Without noise

    • C.

      Without purpose

    • D.

      Nothing

    Correct Answer
    C. Without purpose
    Explanation
    The underlined word "aimlessly" suggests that the person is picking at grass and little sticks without any particular goal or purpose. This is supported by the statement that the speaker was afraid the person had gone crazy, indicating that their actions seemed random and without reason.

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  • 8. 

    "I dreamed that I had been kidnapped and chained to a tree by a ferocious pirate with red hair." The meaning of the underlined word is:

    • A.

      Crazy

    • B.

      Fierce

    • C.

      Short

    • D.

      Long

    Correct Answer
    B. Fierce
    Explanation
    The word "ferocious" is used to describe the pirate in the dream. This suggests that the pirate was very aggressive, violent, and intense. Therefore, the meaning of the underlined word "ferocious" is "fierce".

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  • 9. 

    "I 'm a grown person with a man's way and habits of defending myself.  But there is time when all types of egotism and control fail." Egotism is used in which context here?

    • A.

      Silliness

    • B.

      Tests

    • C.

      Pride

    • D.

      All of the above

    Correct Answer
    C. Pride
    Explanation
    In this context, egotism is used to refer to an excessive sense of pride or self-importance. The speaker is acknowledging their usual way of defending themselves and their confidence in their abilities. However, they also recognize that there are certain situations where even their pride and sense of control may not be effective.

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  • 10. 

    "It's an awful thing to hear a strong, desperate, fat man scream without any control in a cave at daybreak." The underlined word is related to the meaning:

    • A.

      Reckless

    • B.

      Active

    • C.

      Helpful

    • D.

      Needy

    Correct Answer
    A. Reckless
    Explanation
    The word "reckless" is related to the meaning of the sentence because it describes the behavior of the man screaming in the cave. The word implies that he is acting without any thought or concern for the consequences of his actions, which is evident in the description of him screaming without any control. The other options, such as "active," "helpful," and "needy," do not accurately capture the behavior described in the sentence.

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  • Current Version
  • Aug 27, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Jan 25, 2010
    Quiz Created by
    Melissawrinkle
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