Exploring Character and Themes in Flowers

Which of the following best describes how Charlie’s relationship with his coworkers at the bakery changes in the middle portion of "Flowers for Algernon"?

• They become more supportive as he gets smarter.

• They grow distant and uncomfortable around him.

• They ignore him completely from the start.

• They try to help him with his work more often.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

What theme is most evident when Charlie realizes that people have been laughing at him rather than with him?

• The importance of friendship

• The pain of self-awareness

• The value of hard work

• The dangers of technology

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Which motif is repeated in the middle section to highlight Charlie’s changing intelligence?

• Flowers and gardens

• Labyrinths and mazes

• Clocks and time

• Books and reading

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What does the phrase “I felt like a ghost at my own party” most likely mean as used by Charlie in the story?

• He was invisible to everyone.

• He was the center of attention.

• He felt out of place and disconnected.

• He was haunting his friends.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

Summarize the main event that causes Charlie to question the intentions of Dr. Nemur and Dr. Strauss.

• He overhears them arguing about his progress.

• He finds out they are using him for their own gain.

• He sees them celebrating his success.

• He reads about their experiment in the newspaper.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Why does Charlie decide to distance himself from Miss Kinnian in the middle of the story?

• He is angry with her.

• He fears hurting her as his intelligence grows.

• She asks him to leave her alone.

• He wants to focus on his work.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Which of the following best explains why Charlie is fascinated by Algernon’s behavior in the maze?

• He wants to beat Algernon in a race.

• He sees Algernon as a reflection of his own progress.

• He is afraid of mice.

• He thinks Algernon is smarter than the scientists.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

What inference can be made about Charlie’s feelings toward his coworkers after he becomes more intelligent?

• He feels superior and mocks them.

• He feels isolated and misunderstood.

• He is grateful for their friendship.

• He wants to teach them everything he knows.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Analyze how the author uses the motif of the maze to represent Charlie’s journey. What does the maze symbolize?

• The complexity of scientific research

• The challenges and confusion of Charlie’s mental development

• The structure of the bakery

• The unpredictability of life

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Evaluate Dr. Nemur’s motivation for pushing the experiment forward, even as Charlie’s behavior changes.

• He wants to help Charlie become happy.

• He is primarily interested in scientific recognition.

• He is afraid of losing his job.

• He cares deeply for Charlie’s well-being.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3