Reading Check

Who are most likely the “suspects” Steve refers to in the following passage (Paragraph 24)?

STEVE. Go ahead, what’s my wife said? Let’s get it all out. Let’s pick out every idiosyncrasy of every man, woman, and child on the street. And then we might as well set up some kind of kangaroo court. How about a firing squad at dawn, Charlie, so we can get rid of all the suspects? Narrow them down. Make it easier for you.

• Neighbors who appear different from other neighbors

• Criminals who have been caught in the neighborhood

• City officials that control the neighbors’ lights

• A family that moves into a new house

Which phrase from the following excerpt (Paragraph 33) most closely supports the meaning of the term scapegoat?

“STEVE. [Interrupting] Charlie, don’t tell me what I can afford! And stop telling me who’s dangerous and who isn’t and who’s safe and who’s a menace. [He turns to the group and shouts.] And you’re with him, too—all of you! You’re standing here all set to crucify—all set to find a scapegoat—all desperate to point some kind of finger at a neighbor! Well now look, friends, the only thing that’s gonna happen is that we’ll eat each other up alive—”

• “stop telling me who’s dangerous”

• “desperate to point some kind of finger at a neighbor”

• “now, look, friends”

• “we’ll eat each other up alive”

What does the following dialogue (Paragraphs 27-28) mainly reveal about Steve?

CHARLIE. Go ahead, Steve. What kind of ‘radio set’ you workin’ on? I never seen it. Neither has anyone else. Who you talk to on that radio set? And who talks to you?

STEVE. I’m surprised at you, Charlie. How come you’re so dense all of a sudden? [A pause.] Who do I talk to? I talk to monsters from outer space. I talk to three-headed green men who fly over here in what look like meteors.”

• Steve is admitting to Charlie that he is from outer space.

• Steve is showing that he finds Charlie’s questions ridiculous.

• Steve is explaining how his radio set works so Charlie will understand.

• Steve is stalling while he figures out how to answer Charlie’s questions.

What mainly does the final line (Paragraph 53) reveal about what has happened over the course of the excerpt?

GOODMAN. That’s what I’d like to know.

• The "monster" has been revealed, and it is Goodman.

• The neighbors have reached an agreement about who is to blame.

• The accused has become an accuser among the group of people.

• The neighbors have discovered who is causing the lights to go off

Which of the following selections best expresses a theme of the excerpt?

• Talking through a problem can allow for a peaceful resolution.

• Fear of the unknown and paranoia can lead to disaster.

• Spying on the behavior of others assists in preventing neighborhood crime.

• Leadership is necessary when trying to come up with a solution.

Which line from the excerpt most strongly supports the idea that fear of the unknown and paranoia can lead to disaster?

• “‘Until we get this all straightened out, you ain’t exactly above suspicion yourself.’”

• “'What I’d like to know is—what are we gonna do?’”

• “‘I think we better keep our eye on you too!’”

• 1. “‘He comes walking out of the darkness—how am I supposed to know who he was?’”

Which inference can be best made about how Steve feels about Goodman?

• Steve feels protective of Goodman.

• Steve feels thankful for Goodman.

• Steve feels angry with Goodman.

• Steve feels afraid of Goodman.

Which line of Steve’s from the excerpt most strongly supports the idea that Steve feels protective of Goodman?

• “‘Monsters from outer space or something.’”

• “‘Look, let’s forget this—’”

• “‘You could go home and keep your mouth shut.’”

• “Show them nothing!”

Match the vocabulary word from the text with its corresponding synonym:

apprehensive

• foolish

• hesitantly

• oddity

• afraid

Match the vocabulary word from the text with its corresponding synonym:

idiosyncrasy

• eager

• sleeplessness

• oddity

• afraid