If you are hungry, you might feel inclined to turn to poaching. But be careful: this is risky. Taking livestock is theft, and theft is a felony which carries the death sentence. Killing wild animals that live on another man’s land is also against the law; even taking a single fish from a river can result in a fine of a shilling or more. It is unlikely that you will be hanged for taking a wild animal such as a rabbit; but, even so, you will get a fine amounting to three times the value of the animal as well as three months in prison, and you will have to enter into a bond to guarantee your good behavior in the future; a second offense will be treated more harshly. If a gamekeeper attacks you and you defend yourself, you can be charged with assault. You may find yourself on the gallows if you injure him.
What is the author’s purpose in this excerpt?
A) to explain why many Elizabethans tried poaching
B)to explain why poaching was dangerous
C) to explain why landowners punished poachers
D)to explain why poaching often was forgiven
Answer:
B)to explain why poaching was dangerous
Explanation:
According to the excerpt, it is narrated that there are dangers to poaching. Some of these dangers which are backed by the law include:
- getting the death sentence for stealing livestock
- going to jail for killing wild animals who are on another man's land
- getting fined for taking a fish from a river
- getting charged for assault for defending yourself if a gamekeeper attacks you when you trespass
- going to the gallows for injuring a gamekeeper you trespass on his land
Therefore, the author's purpose in this excerpt is to explain why poaching is dangerous.
