The Rocking Horse Winner

Reading Check and Short Answer questions on key points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

Reading Check

1. Which “unspoken phrase” haunts the family’s home?

2. What does Paul command of his rocking horse?

3. How much is Paul betting on Daffodil?

4. Where does Bassett suggest Paul got his unique ability?

5. Which holiday does Paul plan for his mother to receive money?

6. Which important detail does Paul’s mother reveal about her family history?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. How does Paul’s mother define luck? Does she believe their family is lucky? Why or why not?

2. Who is Bassett? How does this person affect Paul’s life, and how does Uncle Oscar respond to this relationship?

3. Where does Uncle Oscar take Paul? Describe Paul’s experience of this outing.

4. What is Paul’s motivation to continue his luck? How does Uncle Oscar respond to this admission?

5. Compare and contrast Paul’s mother’s presumed response with her actual response to the letter from the lawyer. What does Paul’s mother request, and how does Paul respond?

6. What is Paul’s “secret of secrets”? How is this object crucial to the climax and the denouement of the story?