The Shot
Alexander Pushkin

1 I arrived at Silvio’s house at the appointed time, and found nearly the whole regiment there. All his things were already packed; nothing remained but the bare, bullet-riddled walls. We sat down to table. Our host was in an excellent humor, and his gaiety was quickly communicated to the rest. Corks popped every moment, glasses foamed incessantly, and, with the utmost warmth, we wished our departing friend a pleasant journey and every happiness. When we rose from the table it was already late in the evening. After having wished everybody good-by, Silvio took me by the hand and detained me just at the moment when I was preparing to depart.

2 “I want to speak to you,” he said in a low voice.

3 I stopped behind.

4 The guests had departed, and we two were left alone. Sitting down opposite each other, we silently lit our pipes. Silvio seemed greatly troubled; not a trace remained of his former convulsive gayety. The intense pallor of his face, his sparkling eyes, and the thick smoke issuing from his mouth, gave him a truly diabolical appearance. Several minutes elapsed, and then Silvio broke the silence.

5 “Perhaps we shall never s ee each other again,” said he; “before we part, I should like to have an explanation with you. You may have observed that I care very little for the opinion of other people, but I like you, and I feel that it would be painful to me to leave you with a wrong impression upon your mind.”

6 He paused, and began to knock the ashes out of his pipe. I sat gazing silently at the ground.

7 “You thought it strange,” he continued, “that I did not demand satisfaction from that drunken idiot R——. You will admit, however, that having the choice of weapons, his life was in my hands, while my own was in no great danger. I could ascribe my forbearance to generosity alone, but I will not tell a lie. If I could have chastised R—— without the least risk of my own life, I should never have pardoned him.”

8 I looked at Silvio with astonishment. Such a confession completely astounded me. Silvio continued:—

9 “Exactly so: I have no right to expose myself to death. Six years ago I received a slap in the face, and my enemy still lives.”

10 My curiosity was greatly excited.

11 “Did you not fight with him?” I asked. “Circumstances probably separated you.”

12 “I did fight with him,” replied Silvio; “and here is a souvenir of our duel.”

13 Silvio rose and took from a cardboard box a red cap with a gold tassel and embroidery (what the French call a bonnet de police); he put it on—a bullet had passed through it about an inch above the forehead.

Read the passage on the left to answer the following questions:
11)
How does the author create suspense within this story?
A) The use of flashbacks within the story create a sense of mystery.
B) The pacing of the story is slow and leaves the surprise until the end.
C) The use of parallel storylines creates an air of mystery and suspense.
D) The author reveals the surprise at the beginning and then explains the details.

12)

What unique cultural practice is mentioned in this Russian short story excerpt?
A) The story mentions reveling, drinking, and partying with guests.
B) The story celebrates friendship between men who trust one another.
C) The story emphasizes a code of honor enforced by dueling with weapons.
D) The story presents a goodbye celebration for a beloved friend who is leaving.

13)
Why does the author choose to end this passage in this way?
A) to show the reader that Silvio is a sensitive and caring man.
B) to demonstrate to the reader that love is the root of all problems.
C) to create a comic ending to what is an otherwise tragically sad story.
D) to create interest in the reader in hearing about Silvio's escape from death.