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QuizMultiple Choice

An Inner Story of the Civil War — Quiz

Question 1 • English Language Arts 11

Read the excerpt from part 2 of "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge." “The Yanks are repairing the railroads,” said the man, “and are getting ready for another advance. They have reached the Owl Creek bridge, put it in order and built a stockade on the north bank. The commandant has issued an order, which is posted everywhere, declaring that any civilian caught interfering with the railroad, its bridges, tunnels or trains will be summarily hanged. I saw the order.” “How far is it to the Owl Creek bridge?” Farquhar asked. “About thirty miles.” “Is there no force on this side the creek?” “Only a picket post half a mile out, on the railroad, and a single sentinel at this end of the bridge.” “Suppose a man—a civilian and student of hanging—should elude the picket post and perhaps get the better of the sentinel,” said Farquhar, smiling, “what could he accomplish?” Based on the excerpt, which is the most reasonable plot prediction?

Answer
A
Farquhar will get caught by Northern forces.
B
Farquhar will discover the truth about the soldiers he’s speaking with.
C
Farquhar will attempt to tamper with the bridge.
D
Farquhar will be executed for his crimes against the North.

Explanation

Farquhar asks how heavily the bridge is guarded and imagines a civilian slipping past the picket and sentinel. Since the bridge is a key railroad target, his questions strongly suggest he is considering interfering with it. The most reasonable prediction is that Farquhar will attempt to tamper with the bridge; the excerpt does not yet establish that he has been caught or executed.

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