The Rocking Horse Winner

Reading Check

1. “There must be more money.” (Paragraph 5)

2. To “take [him] to where there is luck” (Paragraph 12)

3. “[T]hree hundred” pounds (Paragraph 30)

4. “[H]eaven” (Paragraph 37)

5. On her birthday for the next five years (Paragraphs 45-47)

6. That she had a “gambling family” (Paragraph 57)

Short Answer

1. Paul’s mother defines luck as “what causes you to have money. If you're lucky you have money. That's why it's better to be born lucky than rich. If you're rich, you may lose your money. But if you're lucky, you will always get more money.” When Paul asks his mother if they are lucky, his mother responds that Paul’s father is “[v]ery unlucky.” (Paragraph 8)

2. Bassett is a gardener who discusses the horse races with Paul. The uncle is “delighted to find that his small nephew was posted with all the racing news” and begins to ask Paul for betting tips. (Paragraphs 23-28)

3. After learning that Paul is interested in horse betting, Uncle Oscar takes him to the Lincoln races. Paul places a bet on the horse Daffodil and wins, and then he offers his uncle the chance to become partners with him and Bassett. (Paragraphs 30-34)

4. Paul is motivated to continue betting on horses because he wants to give the money to his mother so the house “might stop whispering.