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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Mr. Button say, in Chapter II, he will call his son?

2. When asked again how old his son is, what is Mr. Button's reply?

3. Where does Mr. Button run into Dr. Keene?

4. In Chapter II, how old does Mr. Button initially tell the store clerk his son is?

5. Why do Benjamin and his grandfather become great friends?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is it fortunate for the Buttons that the Civil War breaks out?

2. How does Mr. Button react to seeing his son dressed in a suit?

3. What is significant about Benjamin turning 12?

4. What is known about the Button family based on Chapter 1?

5. What is the reaction the hospital staff regarding the birth the the Button's son?

6. What suit does Mr. Button choose for his son? What do others think of this suit?

7. What leads to Benjamin breaking something every day?

8. Why does Mr. Button have difficulty buying his newborn son a suit?

9. How does the author describe Mr. Button's behavior prior to the birth of his child?

10. What does Mr. Button do to try to convince others that his son is younger than he looks? Are these disguises convincing?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Mrs. Button is hardly mentioned in the story. Why might the author have decided to leave her out of it? How does this affect the story and the characters in it? How different might the story have been if she had a more significant role?

Essay Topic 2

Although no one has been born an old man, many have been born with other special needs. How can people today relate to this story and the challenges Benjamin faces? How do people today deal with special needs children? What support would exist today for Benjamin and his family that did not exist in 1860?

Essay Topic 3

What are groups of people today that would fall into a similar category as Benjamin back in 1860 - oddities that should be covered up and hidden? Although this story was written a century ago, how have things stayed the same regarding those who are different? How have things changed for the better for those who are different?

(see the answer keys)

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