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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. What had Benjamin hoped about his peculiar aging process?

2. How is Benjamin received at home upon returning from war?

3. How old is Benjamin and Hildegarde's son, Roscoe in Chapter VII?

4. Why does Hildegarde like men who are 50?

5. What does Benjamin wish, regarding himself, upon meeting and speaking with Hildegarde?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Benjamin feel 15 years since his marriage?

2. How are Hildegarde’s friends wrong about their marriage?

3. How is Benjamin known in all the journals?

4. Why is the truth about Benjamin’s birth not circulated as much as the wild rumors?

5. How does Benjamin save his business over 600 nails per year?

6. What is important about the dance at the Shevlin estate?

7. What are the thoughts of both Roger and Benjamin on their ride home after the dance at the Shevlin estate?

8. What does Benjamin think about the Spanish-American War?

9. What are two of the rumors being spread around society about Benjamin after his engagement to Hildegarde?

10. How does General Moncrief try to convince Hildegarde that she is making a mistake marrying Benjamin?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Mr. Button realizes his son is born an old man, how does he react? About what is he concerned? What does this reveal about him? How does he handle this new life with an unusual child? How does all this affect Benjamin?

Essay Topic 2

What are groups of people today that would fall into a similar category as Benjamin back in 1860 - oddities that should be covered up and hidden? Although this story was written a century ago, how have things stayed the same regarding those who are different? How have things changed for the better for those who are different?

Essay Topic 3

Why might F. Scott Fitzgerald have chosen to write this short story? What might have been his purpose in creating the character Benjamin? What do you think Fitzgerald wants the reader to get out of this book?

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