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Harrison Bergeron

Total questions: 25

Worksheet time: 19mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

In this story, people with above-average intelligence have to:

a)

Watch a lot of television every night

b)

Marry someone with less intelligence

c)

Report weekly to the Handicapper General

d)

Wear mental-handicap transmitters

2.

George and Hazel are Harrison’s:

a)

grandparents.

b)

parents.

c)

friends.

d)

neighbors.

3.

Which of the following are ways characters are not handicapped in the story ?

a)

a. Masks

b)

Earphones

c)

Fat suits

d)

False teeth

4.

How does the government censor Harrison’s rebellion?

a)

They stop the television broadcast.

b)

They end the radio broadcast.

c)

The army forces the crowd to leave.

d)

They alter the story in the newspaper.

5.

Why was Harrison thrown in jail before the story began?

a)

For trying to assassinate the President

b)

For attempting to remove his handicaps

c)

For suspicion of plotting to overthrow the government

d)

For a bomb threat against the Department of Handicaps

6.

Harrison is in conflict with:

a)

His parents

b)

The government

c)

His teachers

d)

A ballerina

7.

_Based on the number of handicaps Harrison wears, you can conclude he is

a)

The same as everyone else

b)

Dangerous to others in society

c)

Above average in many ways

d)

Glad he doesn’t live at home

8.

The climax of the story is the high point of interest and tension.

a)

Hazel and George start watching TV

b)

A photograph of Harrison flashes on the screen

c)

Harrison rebels by publicly taking off his handicaps

d)

George goes to the kitchen for a beer

9.

Which word best describes the mood of the Bergeron household?

a)

Subdued

b)

Overwhelming

c)

Inspiring

d)

Restless

10.

Reread the following excerpt which comes immediately after the scene in which Harrison and the Ballerina break free from their handicaps and kiss the ceiling.

“It was then that Diana Moon Glampers, the Handicapper General, came into the studio with a double-barreled ten-gauge shotgun. She fired twice, and the Emperor and the Empress were dead before they hit the floor”.

How does the shift in tone from the previous description to this one support the theme?

The tone shifts from one of criticism and condemnation to serious and realistic, illustrating Vonnegut’s criticism of Harrison’s behavior where he disobeys all of the laws of his society to fulfill his own purpose.

a)

The tone shifts from one of awe and amazement to shock and sadness, illustrating Vonnegut’s criticism of the oppressive role of the government that continues to instill equality, at all costs, stifling the individualism of its people

b)

The tone shifts from one of shock and fright to lighthearted and humorous, illustrating the satirical nature of Vonnegut’s short story; while government reform could benefit some people, this is a simple story told to entertain his audience.

c)

The tone shifts from one of absurdity and humor to realistic and straightforward, illustrating Vonnegut’s criticism of Harrison’s behavior; suggesting that the government should be obeyed at all times.

11.
Why does Hazel not have a mental handicap?
a)
She's too intelligent
b)
She is a strong woman
c)
She's not very intelligent (average)
d)
She is going to be Handicapper General
12.
At the end of the story, who witnesses and then forgets the death of Harrison?
a)
George
b)
Hazel
c)
DMG
d)
Harrison
13.
What does the dance with the ballerina at the end symbolize?
a)
Obedience
b)
Destruction
c)
Chaos
d)
Freedom
14.

What did the noises from George's headphones do?

a)

They help him think

b)

They play music

c)

They are comfortable

d)

They stop him from thinking intelligently

15.

What did Harrison exclaim when removing his handicaps?

a)

"I am powerful!"

b)

"I want to kill you all!"

c)

"I am the Emperor!"

16.

What was the name of the United States Handicapper General?

a)

Patricia Radicia Bauers

b)

Diana Moon Glampers

c)

Gordon Calbert Thompson

d)

Samuel Griffith White

17.

George and Hazel believe that handicaps...

a)

keep society stable.

b)

challenge citizens to work harder.

c)

make competitions more interesting.

d)

prevent people from hurting each other.

18.

Which statement best expresses the theme of this short story?

a)

Attempting to achieve complete equality will only result in widespread dissatisfaction and lack of creativity.

b)

The government should encourage everyone to hide their differences in order to have a more peaceful and equal society.

c)

Forcing uniformity on people doesn't result in equality, but rather causes conflict and unhappiness.

d)

People don't realize how important individuality is until they have what makes them different taken away.

19.

Identify the MAIN conflict of "Harrison Bergeron."

a)

external: Harrison vs. society

b)

external: George vs. society

c)

internal: George vs. himself

d)

internal: Hazel vs. herself

20.
You can conclude that George and Hazel agree that 
a)
Handicaps are a horrible way to achieve balance in society.
b)
Requiring handicaps is an abuse of the government's power.
c)
Harrison is right to fight for his individuality.
d)
Obeying the government is more important than their son's liberty.
21.

George's handicaps include: (2 ANSWERS)

a)

a rose pin

b)

a red clown nose

c)

a radio transmitter

d)

lead weights

22.

Hazel's handicaps include:

a)

a radio transmitter

b)

lead weights

c)

Hazel doesn't require handicaps

d)

ballet shoes

23.

Which of these words best describe the society described in the story

a)

free

b)

tolerant

c)

oppressive

d)

open-minded

24.

In what year did Harrison Bergeron take place?

a)

2018

b)

2081

c)

2422

d)

1931

25.
At the end of the story, who witnesses and then forgets the death of Harrison?
a)
George
b)
Hazel
c)
DMG
d)
Harrison