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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. By 18, how old does Benjamin look?

2. Why is Mr. Button in a panic about taking his son home from the hospital?

3. What does the nurse suggest that Mr. Button do, so he can take his son home?

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 has Benjamin’s appearance changed by age 18?

3. What does Mr. Button do to try to make his elderly son act like a baby or small child?

4. What dilemma arises when Benjamin is the meet his the Yale registrar, Mr. Hart?

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

6. What is significant about Benjamin turning 12?

7. What is Mr. Hart’s reaction to Benjamin?

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

9. How does Mr. Button respond when his son does not like the clothes he has bought him?

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

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?

Essay Topic 2

When someone in the mob shouts that Benjamin should go to Harvard, he sees both the insult and the inspiration. What does this reveal about Benjamin? How does this influence decisions that Benjamin makes later in the story? How might the reader apply this to his or her own life?

Essay Topic 3

Although Benjamin dies as an infant, what are the similarities between old age and infancy that are brought up in this book? What does this book say about the care of the elderly? What does Benjamin's life reveal about the end of one's life?

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