Chasing Lincoln's Killer Practice Test

Why did Richard Garrett tell the cavalry Booth was hiding in the barn?

He wanted to see a quick capture. He hoped for a larger reward. He felt it was wrong that the killer of Abraham Lincoln was hiding on the property. He feared for his own safety.

Correct Answer:

He felt it was wrong that the killer of Abraham Lincoln was hiding on the property.

Explanation:

The situation tests understanding of motive in a tense moment. Richard Garrett’s choice to tell the cavalry where Booth was hidden comes from a strong sense of right and wrong about sheltering a murderer. He believed it was improper for the killer of Abraham Lincoln to be protected on his land, and that cooperating with authorities was the just thing to do for public safety and justice. This moral stance overrides any concern about personal risk or rewards, which is why that motive best explains his action. The other ideas—seeking a quick capture for a reward or fearing for his own safety—aren’t what the account emphasizes; the emphasis is on his belief that Booth’s presence on the property should be ending, not continued.

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