Some Of US Had Been Threatening Our Friend Colby
Some of us had been threatening our friend Colby' is a book by Donald Barthelme. Details on what Colby actually did and his friends' attitudes towards him remain vague throughout the story. Take up the quiz on the book and see if you understood the literature techniques used within the book.
- 1.
(RL2.4)Read the excerpt from "Some of Us Have Been Threatening Our Friend Colby".Colby said he'd always been fond of Ives's Fourth Symphony. Howard said that this was a "delaying tactic" and that everybody knew that the Ives was almost impossible to perform and would involve weeks of rehearsal, and that the size of the orchestra and chorus would put us way over the music budget. "Be reasonable," he said to Colby. Colby said he'd try to think of something a little less exacting.How does the irony in the above excerpt emphasize the author's message?
- 2.
(RL.2.4) Read the following lines from the story."We agreed that the invitations would be worded in such a way that the person invited could not know for sure what he was being invited to. We decided to refer to the event as "An Event Involving Mr. Colby Williams."How does the euphemism used in the lines above emphasize the idea of Colby's friends "going too far"?Type your response below.
- 3.
What is the shared message in Passage 1 "Some of Us Had Been Threatening Our Friend Colby" and Passage 2 "Grimm Reaper Cartoon" as well as the difference in their impact?
- 4.
Type your first and Last Name in the box below
- 5.
(RL.1.1) The narrator omits details about the specific cause of Colby's punishment. What effect does this withholding of information create in the text?
- A.
The omission creates understatement
- B.
The omission creates mystery
- C.
The omission creates satire
- D.
The omission creates irony.
Correct Answer
B. The omission creates mysteryExplanation
The omission of details about the specific cause of Colby's punishment creates mystery in the text. By not revealing the specific reason for Colby's punishment, the narrator leaves the reader curious and wanting to know more. This creates a sense of intrigue and suspense, as the reader is left wondering what Colby did to deserve punishment.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Select two phrases from the passage below that best support the idea that Colby's friends are actually the ones that go too far.Then the question of the hangman came up. Pete said did we really need a hangman? Because if we used a tree, the noose could be adjusted to the appropriate level and Colby could just jump off something -- a chair or stool or something. Besides, Pete said, he very much doubted if there were any free-lance hangmen wandering around the country, now that capital punishment has been done away with absolutely, temporarily, and that we'd probably have to fly one in from England or Spain or one of the South American countries, and even if we did that how could we know in advance that the man was a professional, a real hangman, and not just some money-hungry amateur who might bungle the job and shame us all, in front of everybody?
- A.
Capital punishment has been done away with absolutely
- B.
We'd probably have to fly one in from England or Spain or one of the South American countries
- C.
Then the question of the hangman came up
- D.
The noose could be adjusted to the appropriate level and Colby could just jump off something -- a chair or stool or something
Correct Answer(s)
A. Capital punishment has been done away with absolutely
C. Then the question of the hangman came upExplanation
The phrases "capital punishment has been done away with absolutely" and "Then the question of the hangman came up" support the idea that Colby's friends are the ones going too far. The mention of capital punishment being abolished indicates that they are discussing a method of execution for Colby, which suggests their extreme actions. Additionally, the fact that they are considering the need for a hangman and the logistics of flying one in from another country further emphasizes their excessive and extreme behavior.Rate this question:
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- 7.
What is notable about Howard's injunction to Colby to "Be reasonable"?
- A.
This statement identifies Howard as the fairest individual in the group of friends.
- B.
This statement highlights Colby’s traits that leads to his punishment, meriting his death.
- C.
This statement is ironic because the group’s decision to execute Colby is unreasonable.
- D.
This statement is said at the beginning of the story, setting up the increasingly ridiculous decisions in the event-planning process.
Correct Answer
C. This statement is ironic because the group’s decision to execute Colby is unreasonable.Explanation
The statement "Be reasonable" is ironic because it contrasts with the group's decision to execute Colby, which is deemed unreasonable. This suggests that Howard recognizes the absurdity of the situation and is emphasizing the group's lack of rationality.Rate this question:
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- 8.
(RL.1.2)Which of the following is not a major theme in the story?
- A.
The harm inflicted by friends who wish to help.
- B.
Intentional ostracism of someone based on arbitrary factors.
- C.
The danger in creating a social structure based on relative moral codes
- D.
The triumph and honor in accepting negative consequences.
Correct Answer
D. The triumpH and honor in accepting negative consequences.Explanation
The correct answer is The triumph and honor in accepting negative consequences. This answer is not a major theme in the story because the other options focus on different aspects of the story. The first option highlights the harm caused by well-meaning friends, the second option mentions intentional ostracism, and the third option discusses the danger of creating a social structure based on relative moral codes. However, the story does not emphasize the theme of triumph and honor in accepting negative consequences.Rate this question:
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- 9.
(RL 2.5)What is the primary function of the closing sentences? "The two things I remember best about the whole episode are the grateful look Colby gave me when I said what I said about the wire, and the fact that nobody has ever gone too far again".
- A.
To show how the narrator begins to feel sympathy for Colby until Colby gives him a pitiful look, which causes the narrator aggravation at his friend’s weakness in the face of justice.
- B.
Colby, who has been vehemently fighting his fate throughout the entire story, finally accepts the punishment for his actions and, through his grateful look, acknowledges the sentence as justified.
- C.
To show how the narrator begins to sympathize with Colby as his gratitude humanizes him, however any doubts about the moral validity of their actions are immediately stifled as the results demonstrate the effectiveness of the system.
- D.
Colby, who has been halfheartedly trying to escape his sentence, has the chance to accept his punishment with dignity, but he cowers in fear at the prospect of a painful death, as evidenced by the grateful look he gives the sympathetic narrator.
Correct Answer
C. To show how the narrator begins to sympathize with Colby as his gratitude humanizes him, however any doubts about the moral validity of their actions are immediately stifled as the results demonstrate the effectiveness of the system.Explanation
The closing sentences of the passage suggest that the narrator starts to sympathize with Colby as he expresses gratitude towards the narrator. This gratitude humanizes Colby in the eyes of the narrator, leading to a shift in the narrator's perspective. However, any doubts the narrator may have had about the moral validity of their actions are immediately silenced as the results of the punishment demonstrate the effectiveness of the system. The closing sentences highlight the conflicting emotions of sympathy and validation that the narrator experiences towards Colby and the justice system.Rate this question:
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- 10.
(RL 2.5)What best explains the author's purpose for excluding the description of what it meant for the characters to "go too far".
- A.
The characters' suggest what he did to “go too far”.
- B.
It is generally understood what it means to “go too far”.
- C.
The characters’ response to the action is more important than the action itself.
- D.
It is generally understood that death is always the consequence of “going too far”.
Correct Answer
C. The characters’ response to the action is more important than the action itself.Explanation
The author's purpose for excluding the description of what it meant for the characters to "go too far" is because the characters' response to the action is more important than the action itself. By focusing on the characters' reactions, the author can explore the emotional and psychological impact of "going too far" rather than simply describing the act itself. This allows for a deeper understanding of the characters and their motivations, and adds complexity to the story.Rate this question:
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- 11.
(R.L.2.6)How does the author's use of the absurd reflect the purpose of the story?
- A.
It highlights the need for additional death penalty laws
- B.
It intensifies the debate with death penalty law we have in our society.
- C.
It reassures people that the death penalty is the best solutions that we currently have in our legal system.
- D.
It illustrates the fact that the death penalty may just not be the only solution we have in a democracy.
Correct Answer
B. It intensifies the debate with death penalty law we have in our society.Explanation
The author's use of the absurd in the story intensifies the debate with the death penalty law in our society. By presenting absurd situations or scenarios, the author challenges the reader to question the effectiveness and morality of the death penalty. This can lead to a deeper examination of the issues surrounding capital punishment and encourage a more critical and informed discussion on the topic.Rate this question:
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Mar 14, 2017Quiz Created by
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