Harrison Bergeron

Multiple Choice and Long Answer questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, unit exam, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. Who is Diana Moon Glampers?

A) Harrison’s mother

B) The Handicapper General

C) The ballerina

D) The TV announcer

2. What does George believe about being a good citizen?

A) One person’s disobedience of the law will lead to society’s downfall.

B) It’s OK to break the law in the privacy of one’s home.

C) Equality is the best way forward.

D) Good citizens speak out when laws are unjust.

3. Why do two ballerinas collapse on the stage?

A) Their handicap weighted bags are too heavy.

B) They are afraid of Diana Moon Glampers.

C) They have fallen ill.

D) A 21-gun salute sounds in their earpieces.

4. Which is the best summary of the story’s plot and themes?

A) A teen boy rebels against a repressive society, becomes a leader, and rules justly.

B) A teen boy rebels against a repressive society, briefly experiences freedom, and pays with his life.

C) A family wrestles with the restrictions put on each member in the name of equality, but they persevere and are reunited in the end.

D) A family is torn apart in a repressive society, and they are left feeling despair for the future.

5. What is Harrison’s motivation for freeing several artists of their handicaps?

A) He cares for people and wants a better life for them.

B) He is an artist himself and desires to participate fully with others.

C) He wants to demonstrate his power and frees people to help him with that goal.

D) He wants TV viewers to see real ballet and hear music with no limitations.

6. Which of the following is NOT an example of hyperbole?

A) “It was such a doozy that George was white and trembling.”

B) “I am a greater ruler than any man who ever lived!”

C) “He flung away his rubber-ball nose, revealed a man that would have awed Thor, the god of thunder.”

D) “And then, neutralizing gravity with love and pure will, they remained suspended.”

7. Which of the following quotes fits best with the themes of this story?

A) “We declare these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” —Declaration of Independence

B) “The worst form of inequality is to try to make unequal things equal.” —Aristotle

C) “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.” —Karl Marx

D) “Each of us should be allowed to rise as far as our talent and hard work can take us.” —Margot Lee Shetterly

8. Why doesn’t Hazel have any handicaps?

A) She earned her way out of handicaps.

B) Mothers are exempt from handicaps.

C) She is average in all ways.

D) She gave hers to her son, Harrison.

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. Why aren’t Harrison’s parents upset when they see him die on live TV?

2. Why is it significant that Harrison gives himself the title of Emperor?