Harrison Bergeron

What can be inferred about the society depicted at the beginning of the story?

• No one ever needs to work.

• No one disagrees with the laws.

• Everyone appreciates the equality.

• Everyone is forced to be the same.

Read paragraphs 18–19 from the story.

“Well—maybe make ’em real loud,” said Hazel. “I think I’d make a good Handicapper General.”

“Good as anybody else,” said George.

What is the author suggesting through this use of verbal irony?

• That George thinks he would do the job better than anyone else

• That the current Handicapper General is not very good at her job

• That everybody would do the job of Handicapper General the same way

• That Hazel is more qualified to be Handicapper General than most people

Read this sentence from paragraph 23.

It was such a doozy that George was white and trembling, and tears stood on the rims of his red eyes.

What is the effect of the imagery and personification used in this sentence?

• It illustrates how hard George tries to regain control of his mind.

• It emphasizes how much pain the loud sounds cause George.

• It describes George’s appearance in an objective way.

• It suggests that George is weaker than other people.

Read the following sentences from paragraph 37.

It wasn’t clear at first as to what the bulletin was about, since the announcer, like all announcers, had a serious speech impediment. For about half a minute, and in a state of high excitement, the announcer tried to say, “Ladies and gentlemen—”

What is the meaning of the word impediment, based on the context?

• Advantage

• Assistant

• Limitation

• Process

What does the physical description of Harrison in the police photo most likely indicate?

• That he should not be trusted

• That his parents failed to protect him

• That he does not care about his appearance

• That his abilities are superior to those of others

Which of the following statements explains why George and Hazel don't think about their son more often?

• They weren't very close with their son.

• They don't like how sad it makes them feel.

• They agreed with the government's decision to take him away.

• They aren't able to think about anything for very long.

George hears loud sounds because...

• the government wants to punish him for committing a crime.

• the government wants to disrupt his ability to think.

• he enjoys listening to sounds as he works.

• he has a hearing problem with no cure.

Why won't George take off his handicap bag?

• He thinks it's unfair to others.

• He doesn't want to be better than his wife.

• He has grown attached to his handicap bag.

• He could get in trouble with the government.

George and Hazel believe that handicaps...

• keep society from falling apart.

• challenge citizens to work harder.

• make competitions more interesting.

• prevent people from hurting each other.

How is the story's conflict resolved?

• The Handicapper General arrests Harrison.

• The Handicapper General lets Harrison go.

• Harrison kills the Handicapper General.

• The Handicapper General kills Harrison.