Red Chief and his kidnappers take us
on a laughing adventure! One of the reasons the story works
well and is fun to read is because it follows a clear plot outline.
All the elements are there, in the correct order, and we have
a sense of satisfaction and completion when we finish reading.
Instruction:
You are familiar with
this story by now, but in case you want to refer to it for
some examples, here is the link to the story, "The
Ransom of Red Chief" by O. Henry.
The questions you will be answering relate to plot and character
in the story.
To gather ideas before you answer the questions, you might
make a graphic organizer out of a piece of notebook paper.
Fold it into fourths.
At the top write the title of the story, the author, and
the Exposition or Setting.
Then label three sections with one plot element each: Conflict,
Climax and Resolution.
The last square is labeled Character.
Use what you know about the story and the characters to
jot down some notes. This will activate your brain to recognize
answers in the multiple choice questions below. Your paper
might look like this:
"The
Ransom of Red Chief"
by O. Henry Setting
or Exposition:around
town of Summit(add
other setting details)
Conflicts:
(list conflicts - there is one general
problem or struggle the kidnappers face and there are many
smaller conflicts)
Climax:
(brief details of what happens at
the peak of action - the point the whole story builds up
to - when you are almost holding your breath to find out
what will happen)
Resolution:
(brief details about what happens when
the main conflict / problem of the story is resolved or
solved)
Characters and their character traits: (list four characters involved
in the story, and a word or two to describe their personalities
or actions)
Continue! When you're finished, find the answer check at the
end.
Question
1:
How did the kidnappers
change in the story?
Yes
No
Maybe
Answer
A.
They learned to be patient with Red Chief.
B.
They reversed their ransom plans.
C.
They gained control of Red Chief, forcing him to behave.
D.
They dropped kidnapping, went on TV
to warn others about the perils of the business.
Question
2:
Which word best describes
Johnny's attitude he is first kidnapped and thrown into
the buggy?
Yes
No
Maybe
Answer
A.
Aggressive
B.
Adventuresome
C.
Stubborn
D.
Reluctant
Question
3:
The kidnappers face
many conflicts in this story. Which conflict is solved with
the resolution of the story?
Yes
No
Maybe
Answer
A.
Conflict for the kidnappers: Johnny
is trouble with a capital T. Bill is captured and almost scalped
by Red Chief, Sam's life is threatened by burning at the stake.
B.
Conflict for the kidnapper's:
Survival. They must find a way to escape from the clutches of
Red Chief.
C.
Conflict for the kidnappers: They want a ransom.
To carry out the kidnapping, they must persuade Johnny's father
to pay for his return.
D.
Conflict for the kidnappers:
Johnny will not behave. Bill and Sam try everything, even threatening
Johnny with going home.
Question
4:
Which character was
not satisfied with the resolution of the kidnapping?
Yes
No
Maybe
Answer
A.
Sam
B.
Bill
C.
Ebenezer Dorset
D.
Johnny "Red Chief"
Question
5:
From what you know
about Johnny's personality, it would not be surprising to
find out that . . . . .
Yes
No
Maybe
Answer
A.
he has a stamp collection at home.
B.
his favorite TV show is "Friends."
C.
he would rather fight in a boxing match than watch a Mariner
game.
D.
he would go on to be Mayor of Summit
as an adult.
How did you do?
If any of the answer explanations did not make sense to you, review
the story again, and see if you missed a clue. After that, if you
are still confused, check with your teacher.
If you scored 4 or 5 correct, Congratulations!!! You read carefully
and paid attention to details, and identified character traits from
clues in the story, and analyzed plot elements accurately! Nice
work!!!
