Checkpoint 22 English 12B

Read the excerpt from "Strychnine in the Soup," which explains Cyril's opinion of the books kept in the house library. Their literature was in keeping with their tastes. In the library there would be books on Bahai-ism, volumes in old leather of the Rural Encyclopedia, My Two Years in Sunny Ceylon, by the Rev. Orlo Waterbury ... but of anything that would interest Scotland Yard, of anything with a bit of blood in it and a corpse or two into which a fellow could get his teeth, not a trace. Which option most accurately explains the purpose of including the phrase "into which a fellow could get his teeth"?

The phrase adds dark humor to the idea of being totally absorbed in a murder mystery, with its second meaning implying actual violence.

Read the excerpt from "Strychnine in the Soup." "And, dash it," said Cyril indignantly, "this isn't the Victorian age. All that business of Mother's Consent went out twenty years ago." Which option uses the word indignantly as it is used in the excerpt?

Angry that his parents had refused to let him attend the all-night party, Mark stormed to his bedroom and slammed the door indignantly.

Much of the humor in "Strychnine in the Soup" stems from the author's use of implied meanings. Which options accurately identify examples of overstatements that create a humorous effect? (Select all that apply.)

When Cyril loses his book and can't finish the detective story, it is described as "the most poignant bereavement." As Cyril and Lester Mapledurham stare at each other, it feels like "exchanging glances with Lady Bassett's charging rhinoceros." Lester Mapledurham stays up late reading, and the light under the closed door is referred to as "sinister evidence of reading in bed."

Much of the humor in "Strychnine in the Soup" stems from the author's use of implied meanings. Which option most accurately identifies an example of sarcasm?

Cyril's comment that he wouldn't be likely to "move in the same social circles as charging rhinoceri"

Read the excerpt from "Strychnine in the Soup," which relates a conversation between Lester Mapledurham and Cyril. "Give me those jewels!" said Lester Mapledurham. Cyril was at a loss. "Jewels?" "Jewels!" "What jewels?" Lester Mapledurham tossed his head impatiently. ''I don't know what jewels. They may be the Wingham Pearls or the Bassett Diamonds or the Simpson Sapphires. I'm not sure which room it was I saw you coming out of." Which option most accurately identifies the author's perspective as it is revealed in the character of Lester?

The author presents Lester satirically to criticize men who feel that they must live up to the stereotype of being strong, manly, and fearless.

"Strychnine in the Soup" involves many instances of humor that that helps develop satire in the story. Which option most accurately identifies an example of humor that lends itself to the satirical tone of the text?

"It is impossible," she said at length. "He is incapable of such an act. Lester Mapledurham is a man who once killed a lion with a sardine opener."

Read the excerpt from "Strychnine in the Soup," which describes Cyril's behavior at the party. After three rapid glasses he felt a better and braver man. And so lavishly did he irrigate the ensuring dinner with hock, sherry, champagne, old brandy, and port that at the conclusion of the meal he was pleased to find that his diffidence had completely vanished. He rose from the table feeling equal to asking a dozen Lady Bassetts for their consent to marry a dozen daughters. Which option most accurately explains how the author's use of words with multiple meanings contributes to an understanding of Cyril's character?

Although "irrigate" typically means providing water to help plants grow, in this excerpt it describes the way Cyril uses alcohol to boost his lagging confidence. This usage demonstrates how desperate Cyril is to please and impress the woman he hopes will be his mother-in-law.

Read the excerpt from "Strychnine in the Soup." After three rapid glasses he felt a better and braver man. And so lavishly did he irrigate the ensuring dinner with hock, sherry, champagne, old brandy, and port that at the conclusion of the meal he was pleased to find that his diffidence had completely vanished. He rose from the table feeling equal to asking a dozen Lady Bassetts for their consent to marry a dozen daughters. Which option uses the word diffidence as it is used in the excerpt?

As a child, Derek displayed much diffidence, but since entering high school and joining its football team, he has become a more confident person.

Read the excerpt from "Strychnine in the Soup," which describes how Cyril and Amelia fall in love. The two twin souls gazed into each other's eyes. There is no surer foundation for a beautiful friendship than a mutual taste in literature. Which option most accurately identifies the author's perspective on relationships based on the excerpt's sarcasm?

The author is amused that people can base an entire relationship on trivial and insufficient qualities.

Read the excerpt from "Strychnine in the Soup," which examines the topic of bereavement after Cyril loses his book. The subject of bereavement is one that has often been treated powerfully by poets, who have run the whole gamut of the emotions while laying bare for us the agony of those who have lost parents, wives, children, gazelles, money, fame, dogs, cats, doves, sweethearts, horses, and even collar studs. Which option most accurately explains how the excerpt reflects the author's perspective on poets and their craft?

The author regards poets as inflated and long-winded, discussing at length topics that most people don't care about. This is reflected in his sarcastic use of "children, gazelles, money, fame, dogs, cats, doves," and so on.

Read the excerpt from "Strychnine in the Soup," in which Amelia describes her fear of what will happen if she secretly marries Cyril. "You don't know Mother. The moment she got that picture postcard, she would come over to wherever we were and put you across her knee and spank you with a hairbrush. I don't think I could ever feel the same toward you if I saw you lying across Mother's knee, being spanked with a hairbrush. It would spoil the honeymoon." Which option most accurately explains how this imagery contributes to the tone of the text?

The image of Lady Bassett spanking Cyril with a hairbrush is a laughable one, but it also lends a mocking tone to the text, as Amelia is revealing that Lady Bassett treats others as if they were inferior.

Read the excerpt from "Strychnine in the Soup," in which Mr. Mulliner explains the ending of a mystery novel to a bar patron who is anxious to know the conclusion of the story. "The plumber forgot his snake and had to go back for it," explained Mr. Mulliner. ''I trust that this revelation will prove sedative." "I feel a new man," said the Draught Stout. "I'd have lain awake worrying about that murder all night." Which option most accurately explains how a student who did not know the meaning of sedative could infer its definition?

The student could use the words "a new man" to infer that sedative refers to something that helps relieve worry.

In "Strychnine in the Soup," consider the final confrontation between Cyril and Lady Bassett, during which he refuses to return her book until she consents to his marriage to Amelia. Which option most accurately explains how this interaction represents a major moment for Cyril's character?

Until this point, Cyril has remained meek and submissive. However, his quick thinking and sly actions reveal that he possesses inner cunning and boldness, which he then finds himself embracing.

Read the excerpt from "Strychnine in the Soup," which explains Amelia's and Cyril's emotions. From the moment he told Amelia that he had once met Dorothy Sayers, he never looked back. And one afternoon, calling and finding that Lady Bassett was away in the country, he took the girl's hand in his and told his love. For a while all was well. Amelia's reactions proved satisfactory to a degree. She checked up enthusiastically on his proposition. Falling into his arms, she admitted specifically that he was her Dream Man. Which option most accurately explains how the excerpt contributes to an understanding of the author's perspective?

"Dream Man" represents the ideal partner a woman looks for in a relationship. This term is used sarcastically to reflect the author's view that women can focus too much on searching for something unattainable.

Read the excerpt from "Strychnine in the Soup," which details Cyril's actions after he arrives at Barkley Towers, where the party is being held. As he had taken the five-seven express, stopping only at Gluebury Peveril, he arrived at Barkley Towers at an hour which enabled him not only to be on hand for dinner but also to take part in the life-giving distribution of cocktails which preceded the meal. Which option most accurately explains the purpose of calling the cocktails "life-giving"?

"Life-giving" is used ironically to emphasize the fact that many believe alcohol to help increase social skills, especially in stressful social situations.