Which statement is true about Tom's imprisonment?

Which statement is true about Tom's imprisonment?

• A. He was imprisoned for homicide
• B. He was imprisoned for burglary
• C. He was imprisoned for fraud
• D. He was imprisoned for assault

Answer: (A)

The statement tests understanding of the specific crime Tom Joad’s prison sentence came from. In the story, Tom has a history as a convict and is released on parole after serving time for homicide—the killing of a man in a fight. That distinction is what the text establishes as the reason for his imprisonment. It wouldn’t be burglary (breaking in to steal), fraud (deceiving others for money), or a non-lethal assault, because none of those describe the act that led to his prison term. Homicide covers the act of taking a life, which is why this option is the correct one.

The statement tests understanding of the specific crime Tom Joad’s prison sentence came from. In the story, Tom has a history as a convict and is released on parole after serving time for homicide—the killing of a man in a fight. That distinction is what the text establishes as the reason for his imprisonment. It wouldn’t be burglary (breaking in to steal), fraud (deceiving others for money), or a non-lethal assault, because none of those describe the act that led to his prison term. Homicide covers the act of taking a life, which is why this option is the correct one.