Question

the bet reader response questions 29 points directions: for the following questions, boldface the best answer. (2 points each) 1. part a: which statement best expresses a theme in the story? a. pursuing knowledge and bettering yourself is the best way to spend your time. b. the desire to prove to others that youre right can lead to extreme actions. c. greed and impulsive decisions can lead to huge consequences. d. there is nothing worse than depriving someone of human contact. 2. part b: which paragraph from the short story best supports the answer to part a? a. \he threw himself eagerly into these studies — so much so that the banker had enough to do to get him the books he ordered.\ (paragraph 16) b. \to - morrow at twelve oclock he will regain his freedom. by our agreement i ought to pay him two million. if i do pay him, it is all over with me: i shall be utterly ruined.\ (paragraph 21) c. \at the table a man unlike ordinary people was sitting motionless. he was a skeleton with the skin drawn tight over his bones, with long curls like a womans and a shaggy beard.\ (paragraph 29) d. \and i have only to take this half - dead man, throw him on the bed, stifle him a little with the pillow, and the most conscientious expert would find no sign of a violent death.\ (paragraph 30)

Explanation:

In "The Bet", the bet between the banker and the lawyer stems from an impulsive decision due to greed - the banker's desire to prove his point about the death penalty and the lawyer's eagerness for the large sum of money. This leads to long - term and significant consequences for both. For Part B, the banker's worry about being ruined if he has to pay the two million (Paragraph 21) shows the huge consequences of the impulsive bet.

Answer:

1. C. Greed and impulsive decisions can lead to huge consequences.
2. B. "To - morrow at twelve o'clock he will regain his freedom. By our agreement I ought to pay him two million. If I do pay him, it is all over with me: I shall be utterly ruined." (Paragraph 21)