Why does Mr. Raymond pretend to be a drunk?

He gives Maycomb a reason they can understand for his choices

He is secretly ashamed of the way he has chosen to live

He wants to escape the memory of his fiancee's death

He enjoys the attention and gossip it stirs up in town each time

Why does Raymond choose to share his secret with Scout and Dill specifically?

Children have not yet learned to suppress their moral instincts

He wants them to carry the truth back to Atticus Finch

Scout and Dill threatened to tell the whole town about him

He trusts that children are too young to be believed by adults

What unusual action does Atticus take partway through his closing argument that shocks his children?

He removes his coat, unbuttons his vest, and loosens his tie

He raises his voice to a shout and pounds on the jury rail

He walks over to the jury box and leans on its railing

He reads his whole speech directly from his papers

What key piece of medical evidence does Atticus point out is MISSING from the prosecution's case?

A doctor's examination of Mayella

A signed confession from Tom Robinson

What physical evidence does Atticus use to argue that Tom Robinson could not have beaten Mayella?

Mayella's injuries indicate a left-handed attacker, but Tom's left arm is useless

Tom had witnesses from the settlement who placed him elsewhere that evening

Mayella's bruises had faded, so there was no proof she had ever been hurt

Tom was out picking cotton for Link Deas when Mayella was attacked

According to Atticus, what "rigid and time-honored code" did Mayella Ewell break?

She showed romantic interest in a Black man

She left her home without her father's permission

What American founding principle does Atticus invoke in his final appeal to the jury?

Government by consent of the governed

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

How does Scout describe Atticus's speaking style during the closing argument?

Like folks talking on the post office corner

Like a politician making promises on the campaign trail

Like a preacher delivering a Sunday sermon

Like a professor lecturing a roomful of students

As he turns away from the jury, Atticus says something more to himself than to the court. What does Jem think he said?

In the name of God, believe him

In the name of God, set him free

In the name of God, forgive them

In the name of God, do what is right

What is ironic about Atticus's claim that the courts are "the great levelers" where all men are equal?

The courtroom has a segregated balcony and an all-white jury

Atticus has already admitted to the jury that Tom is guilty

Judge Taylor has privately decided the verdict in advance

Tom Robinson chose to give up his right to a jury trial

To Kill a Mockingbird, Chapter 20 quiz

From To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Chapter 20 of To Kill a Mockingbird reveals Dolphus Raymond's Coca-Cola secret and features Atticus Finch's powerful closing argument to the jury.

13 questions · about 14 minutes

Read the chapter

Questions and answers

1
Question 1. What does Mr. Dolphus Raymond's paper sack actually contain?
- Sweet tea
- Water
- Whiskey
- Correct answer: Coca-Cola
Raymond's drinking is mostly an act. His paper bag holds Coca-Cola, which Dill discovers when Raymond offers him a sip, and Raymond admits that is all he drinks, most of the time.
Read the passage
2
Question 2. Why does Mr. Raymond pretend to be a drunk?
- He is secretly ashamed of the way he has chosen to live
- He wants to escape the memory of his fiancee's death
- Correct answer: He gives Maycomb a reason they can understand for his choices
- He enjoys the attention and gossip it stirs up in town each time
Raymond explains that people need a reason to explain why a white man of his standing would live with a Black woman. Blaming whiskey is easier for the town to accept than the truth.
Read the passage
3
Question 3. Why does Raymond choose to share his secret with Scout and Dill specifically?
- Correct answer: Children have not yet learned to suppress their moral instincts
- He wants them to carry the truth back to Atticus Finch
- Scout and Dill threatened to tell the whole town about him
- He trusts that children are too young to be believed by adults
Raymond tells the children that adults have learned to tolerate cruelty, but children still react honestly. He trusts their uncorrupted moral sense.
Read the passage
4
Question 4. What unusual action does Atticus take partway through his closing argument that shocks his children?
- He raises his voice to a shout and pounds on the jury rail
- Correct answer: He removes his coat, unbuttons his vest, and loosens his tie
- He walks over to the jury box and leans on its railing
- He reads his whole speech directly from his papers
Halfway through his speech, Atticus unbuttons his vest and collar, loosens his tie, and takes off his coat. Scout and Jem are horrified: to them it is the equivalent of seeing him standing before them stark naked.
Read the passage
5
Question 5. What key piece of medical evidence does Atticus point out is MISSING from the prosecution's case?
- Correct answer: A doctor's examination of Mayella
- Fingerprint evidence
- A signed confession from Tom Robinson
- A witness who saw the crime
Atticus emphasizes that no doctor was ever called to examine Mayella, meaning there is no medical evidence that a crime was committed at all.
Read the passage
6
Question 6. What physical evidence does Atticus use to argue that Tom Robinson could not have beaten Mayella?
- Tom had witnesses from the settlement who placed him elsewhere that evening
- Mayella's bruises had faded, so there was no proof she had ever been hurt
- Tom was out picking cotton for Link Deas when Mayella was attacked
- Correct answer: Mayella's injuries indicate a left-handed attacker, but Tom's left arm is useless
Mayella's bruises were on the right side of her face, meaning she was struck by someone leading with their left hand. Tom's left arm was destroyed in a childhood cotton gin accident, making it physically impossible for him to inflict those injuries.
Read the passage
7
Question 7. According to Atticus, what "rigid and time-honored code" did Mayella Ewell break?
- She lied under oath in court
- Correct answer: She showed romantic interest in a Black man
- She left her home without her father's permission
- She refused to attend school
Atticus argues that Mayella kissed Tom Robinson, violating the racial taboo against a white woman pursuing a Black man—a social code, not a legal one.
Read the passage
8
Question 8. Who does Atticus argue actually beat Mayella Ewell?
- Mr. Gilmer
- Tom Robinson
- Correct answer: Bob Ewell
- One of Mayella's siblings
Atticus argues that Bob Ewell beat his own daughter after he caught her with Tom Robinson, and then the Ewells conspired to blame Tom to cover their shame.
Read the passage
9
Question 9. What American founding principle does Atticus invoke in his final appeal to the jury?
- Government by consent of the governed
- The right to a speedy trial
- Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
- Correct answer: All men are created equal
Atticus quotes the Declaration of Independence but narrows it to the courts, arguing that the courtroom is the one institution where this principle must hold regardless of race or wealth.
Read the passage
10
Question 10. How does Scout describe Atticus's speaking style during the closing argument?
- Like a politician making promises on the campaign trail
- Like a preacher delivering a Sunday sermon
- Correct answer: Like folks talking on the post office corner
- Like a professor lecturing a roomful of students
Scout notes that Atticus speaks to the jury conversationally, as though they are neighbors, rather than using theatrical courtroom oratory.
Read the passage
11
Question 11. As he turns away from the jury, Atticus says something more to himself than to the court. What does Jem think he said?
- In the name of God, set him free
- Correct answer: In the name of God, believe him
- In the name of God, forgive them
- In the name of God, do what is right
After closing with "In the name of God, do your duty," Atticus adds something under his breath, more to himself than to the court. Scout does not catch it, and Jem is not certain: he thinks it was "In the name of God, believe him."
Read the passage
12
Question 12. Who does Dill spot walking up the middle aisle toward Atticus just as he finishes his closing argument?
- Correct answer: Calpurnia
- Mr. Dolphus Raymond
- Miss Maudie
- Aunt Alexandra
Just after Atticus finishes, Dill points, and the children watch with sinking hearts as Calpurnia makes her way up the middle aisle, walking straight toward Atticus.
Read the passage
13
Question 13. What is ironic about Atticus's claim that the courts are "the great levelers" where all men are equal?
- Atticus has already admitted to the jury that Tom is guilty
- Correct answer: The courtroom has a segregated balcony and an all-white jury
- Judge Taylor has privately decided the verdict in advance
- Tom Robinson chose to give up his right to a jury trial
The physical arrangement of the courtroom—Black spectators confined to the balcony, an all-white jury—directly contradicts the ideal of legal equality that Atticus invokes.
Read the passage

Play it live with your class.

Put the code on the screen and students join on whatever they have.

Next: To Kill a Mockingbird, Chapter 21

Questions and answers

Question 1. What does Mr. Dolphus Raymond's paper sack actually contain?

Question 2. Why does Mr. Raymond pretend to be a drunk?

Question 3. Why does Raymond choose to share his secret with Scout and Dill specifically?

Question 4. What unusual action does Atticus take partway through his closing argument that shocks his children?

Question 5. What key piece of medical evidence does Atticus point out is MISSING from the prosecution's case?

Question 6. What physical evidence does Atticus use to argue that Tom Robinson could not have beaten Mayella?

Question 7. According to Atticus, what "rigid and time-honored code" did Mayella Ewell break?

Question 8. Who does Atticus argue actually beat Mayella Ewell?

Question 9. What American founding principle does Atticus invoke in his final appeal to the jury?

Question 10. How does Scout describe Atticus's speaking style during the closing argument?

Question 11. As he turns away from the jury, Atticus says something more to himself than to the court. What does Jem think he said?

Question 12. Who does Dill spot walking up the middle aisle toward Atticus just as he finishes his closing argument?

Question 13. What is ironic about Atticus's claim that the courts are "the great levelers" where all men are equal?