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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. Does Mr. Hart believe that Benjamin is 18?

2. How does Mr. Button feel when the nurse confirms the bearded man is his son?

3. What does Mr. Button assume has happened, regarding his child and what he sees in the crying-room?

4. Why does Mr. Hart throw Benjamin out of the college and out of the town?

5. How does the narrator describe Benjamin's height?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Mr. Button do to try to convince others that his son is younger than he looks? Are these disguises convincing?

2. Why does Mr. Button have difficulty buying his newborn son a suit?

3. What is Mr. Button’s plan for his son, at the beginning of the story the story?

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

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

6. What does Mr. Button have Benjamin do at age 18?

7. What suit does Mr. Button choose for his son? What do others think of this suit?

8. How does Benjamin’s grandfather’s attitude change towards his grandson?

9. What leads Benjamin to deciding to attend Harvard?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Benjamin and Hildegarde’s marriage slowly dies. What leads to the death of their marriage? Although Benjamin’s growing younger is atypical, how is the growing of a couple in different ways also sometimes lead to estrangement and separation similar to what happens between Benjamin and Hildegarde? How does the end of their relationship reflect what is happening more often in the world of F. Scott Fitzgerald?

Essay Topic 3

Benjamin starts off in the story as compliant and obedient. How does Benjamin grow to be more assertive throughout the story? How does he also stay sensitive? What role does Benjamin‘s personality play in the plot of the story? Does it play significant role? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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