Shooting an Elephant

Multiple Choice

1. A

2. C (Title)

3. B (Paragraph 2)

4. A (Paragraph 3)

5. D (Paragraph 9)

6. D

7. C

8. D (Paragraph 14)

Long Answer

1. It is ironic that the Burmese ask for the narrator’s help with the elephant because he is generally treated with contempt by the local people. In fact, they usually “sneered” and “hooted” insults at him. (Paragraph 1)

2. The narrator hesitates when he comes face-to-face with the elephant because of the elephant’s monetary value and its calm demeanor. He realizes “it was a serious matter to shoot a working elephant,” and it was “peacefully eating…no more dangerous than a cow” (Paragraph 6), causing him to second guess his decision.