Name __________________________________ Date: ______________

The Law

1. When and where does this story begin?

2. What is unusual about this weekday evening?

3. To what law doe the story refer?

4. What is meant by the term the “Law of Averages”? Define it.

5. Do the news media react in a predictable manner to the unusual events? Explain.

6. What can happen to businesses when the Law of Averages doesn’t work? Why?

7. What is Congress’ first concern?

8. How do Senator J. Wing Slooper and his committee respond to the situation?

9. What is the intent of the Hills-Slooper Act?

10. What is the act supposed to achieve? What system does it impose on people?

11. What are some of the results of implementing the act?

12. What other law begins to malfunction at the end of the story?

13. What statement, if any, is the author making about human nature?

14. How would you describe the author’s tone?

15. Is this a serious story? Why or why not?