Sam
Bill
Red Chief
Reading Comprehension
Questions (General)
100
Why did Bill and Sam decide to commit their crime in Summit?
It was a small town that couldn’t do much to catch them.
100
Why did Bill suggest lowering the ransom amount to $1,500?
He did not think anyone would pay $2,000 for the boy.
100
Why didn’t Red Chief want to go home?
He was having too much fun camping in the cave.
100

Why did the kidnapper’s choose the boy?

His father was a very import rich man.

100

What event made the ransom amount go up?

The Red Chief threw a brick at Bill and hit him in the eye.

200

What does the name of the town (Summit) mean?

The highest point of a hill or mountain.

200
Why did Sam have trouble catching up with Bill at the end of the story?
Bill ran so fast.
200

What is one theme of this story?

Ironic "twist" endings.

200

Why does the boy not want to go home?

He doesn’t like being in his boring home

200

Name the 2 kidnappers.

Bill Driscoll and Sam

300

Why did Sam and Bill pay Ebenezer Dorset?

They wanted to get rid of his son.

300
Why did Sam ask about Bill’s family history of heart disease before telling him to turn around?
He didn’t want Bill to have a heart attack when he saw Red Chief behind him.
300
Why did Sam and Bill choose Ebenezer Dorset’s son to kidnap?
Ebenezer Dorset was a rich real estate man.
300

Why does Ebenezer ask for money from the kidnappers?

He knows that they wouldn‘t want to keep him

300

What is the setting of the story?

Summit, Alabama; a long time ago in the 1900s.

400

What does this quote forshadow?
“It looked like a good thing; but wait till I tell you.”

The outcome of the person they kidnapped.

400
Why does Bill say his favorite Biblical character is King Herod?
King Herod ordered all the boys in town killed.
400

What’s the Red Chief’s real name?

Johnny

400

Why do the kidnappers run away at the end of the story?

They are scared of the boy.

400

True or False: The Red Chief tried to scalp Sam

 False.  It was Bill

500

Why did Sam go to Poplar Grove to mail the ransom note?

He didn’t want the letter traced back to him and Bill.

500

How did Sam and Bill convince Red Chief to go home with them?

They told him he’d get a new rifle and moccasins.

500

Why does Dorset tell Sam and Bill to return the boy at night?

So the neighbors don’t see them returning Red Chief and attack them.

500

What was the original amount of money the kidnappers wanted to get for the boy?

$2,000

500

Is the Red Chief a static or dynamic character?

Static

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