Name:
Period:
Date:
“Harrison Bergeron”
Literary Analysis
Plot and Conflict
The plot of a story is the action that takes place. The plot is driven by a conflict, or
struggle between opposing forces. This might be a struggle between two characters,
between a character and nature, within a character, or between a character and society as
in the story, “Harrison Bergeron.”
Directions: In the chart, record the ways in which Harrison and the government oppose
each other.
What the Government Believes
How Harrison is Different
Use the details you recorded in the chart to write a summary of the main conflict in the
story. Your summary of the main conflict should be five sentences in length:
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Name:
Period:
Date:
“Harrison Bergeron”
Vocabulary Practice
Word List
Consternation
Cower
Neutralizing
Synchronizing
Vigilance
Wince
A. Directions: Fill in each blank with the correct word from the word list above.
1. If you were cornered by a wild beast, you might ____________________.
2. If you burned your finger on a hot stove, you might _________________.
3. If a series of burglaries occurred in your neighborhood, you might increase
your _____________________.
4. If you never found time to eat dinner with your family, you might suggest
that your schedules needed _________________________.
5. If you found your mother reading your diary, you might feel
_____________.
6. If you had a rash from poison ivy, your doctor might suggest
____________ the effect with a special cream.
B. Directions: Think about the meaning of each phrase in the first column. Then
find the phrase in the second column that is closest in meaning. Write the letter of
that phrase on the blank line.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
_____ yelps of confused amazement
_____ cringe and conceal
_____ unending alertness
_____ flinch from soreness
_____ coordinating timepieces
_____ deactivating the foe
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
unceasing vigilance
cries of consternation
synchronizing watches
cower and hide
neutralizing the enemy
wince in pain
C. Writing: Harrison Bergeron rebelled against the laws of society that regulated
equality. Write a note the Harrison might have written to his parents explaining
his reasons. Use at least two words from the box in your note.
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Name:
Period:
Date:
“Harrison Bergeron”
Reading Check and Literary Analysis
Directions: Recall the events from the short story by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. Then answer
the questions in COMPLETE SENTENCES.
1. What is the purpose of the handicaps?
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2. How are George and Hazel related to Harrison?
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3. What keeps happening to George that prevents him from finishing his
thoughts?
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4. Why is Harrison in jail?
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5. What happens to Harrison at the end of the story?
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Analyze Plot and Conflict
6. What is Harrison fighting against in the story?
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7. How does the conflict end?
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Recognize Conflict
8. The climax of the story is the high point of interest and tension. Circle the
climax of this story.
a. Hazel and George start watching TV
b. A photograph of Harrison flashes on the screen
c. Harrison and his Empress kiss the ceiling
d. George goes to the kitchen for a beer
Draw Conclusion
9. Circle the words that best describe the society described in the story.
a. Free
b. Tolerant
c. Repressive
d. Strict
e. Conformist
f. Open-minded
Interpret Theme
10. Does the author like the society he describes? Support your answer with
evidence from the story.
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Evaluate
11. Suppose Harrison took over the country. What might happen? Write three
ideas
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Name:
Period:
Date:
“Harrison Bergeron”
Practice Test
Multiple Choice—Comprehension
Read each of the following questions. Then choose the letter of the best answer.
1. Which word best describes the mood of the Bergeron household?
a. Subdued
b. Overwhelming
c. Inspiring
d. Restless
2. 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
3. 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
4. Throughout most of the story, you can conclude that George treats Martha
a. Unfairly
b. Gently
c. Rudely
d. Poorly
5. Harrison is in conflict with
a. His parents
b. The government
c. His teachers
d. A ballerina
Vocabulary
Choose the answer that best explains the meaning of each underlined word.
6. What does vigilance mean?
a. Alertness
b. Panic
c. Enthusiasm
d. Carelessness
7. A look of consternation is one of
a. Great excitement
b. Confusion and fear
c. Deep sadness
d. Anger and hatred
8. To wince means to
a. Complain loudly
b. Relax completely
c. Flinch involuntarily
d. Cry out in fear
9. What does cower mean?
a. Crouch in fear
b. Laugh loudly
c. Swear to tell the truth
d. Attempt to escape
10. To synchronize two watches will make them
a. Shine
b. Stop
c. Agree
d. Glow
Written Response
Answer the following questions based on your knowledge of the story. Write one or two
sentences on the lines provided.
11. Give one reason why the Handicapper General considers Harrison a threat to
society.
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12. Give two examples from the story that show how the mood of the story
becomes more serious after Harrison has been shot.
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Extended Response
Answer the following question based on your knowledge of the story. Write two
paragraphs on the lines provided.
13. Explain how Harrison’s feelings toward government-imposed handicaps
conflict with his father’s. Give two examples from the story that show how
each one feels about this government practice.
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Name:
Period:
Date:
“Everyday Use”
Literary Analysis
Conflict and Character
The plot of a story revolves around a conflict between opposing forces. The conflict
directs the action of the story and may be settled in the resolution of the story. Often, the
conflict is between two characters who may have different values and priorities.
Directions: Write the conflicts between Dee and her family on the chart. One conflict has
been recorded for you.
Wants quilts
Dee
Want Maggie
to have quilts
Mama
And
Maggie
1. Which conflicts are resolved?
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2. Which conflicts are not resolved?
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Name:
Period:
Date:
“Everyday Use”
Reading Skill
Make Inferences
Writers don’t always tell you everything you need to know. You must read between the
lines, or make inferences, or logical guesses, based on story details and your own
experiences.
Directions: As you read, record the details about the characters’ words and actions. Then
make inferences about their personalities and attitudes based on these details and your
own experiences. One has been done for you.
Character
Dee
Story Details
Thinks orchids are tacky
flowers
Mama
Maggie
Inferences
Is pretentious
Name:
Period:
Date:
“Everyday Use”
Vocabulary Practice
Vocabulary Word Squares (Frayer Model)
Word
Definition
Examples
Picture
Directions: For each of the four words, create a vocabulary word square to identify the
word’s definition. Follow the example above.
1. Furtive
2. Recompose
3. Doctrine
4. Heritage
Directions: Answer the following questions on the lines provided.
5. Which of the words names an action?
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6. Which of the words describes a person, place or thing?
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7. Which of the words suggests the past?
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8. Which of the words has the most negative connotation?
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Vocabulary Practice
Doctrine
Furtive
Heritage
Recompose
Directions: Fill in each set of blanks with the correct word from the box.
9. This is a set of guidelines or views _____________________________________
10. This is your legacy or birthright________________________________________
11. This means “to settle down again” ______________________________________
12. This means “stealthy” or “cautious” ____________________________________
Directions: Choose three of the words from the box. Use each one in a descriptive
sentence about either Dee or Maggie.
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14. __________________________________________________________________
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15. __________________________________________________________________
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Name:
Period:
Date:
“Everyday Use”
Reading Check and Literary Analysis
Directions: Recall the events from the short story by Alice Walker. Then answer the
questions in COMPLETE SENTENCES.
1. How do Maggie’s scars affect her life?
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2. Why does Dee change her name to Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo?
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3. How has Dee changed since she last saw her mother and sister?
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4. Why does Dee want the quilts?
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5. Why is Dee angry at the end of the story?
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Make Inferences
6. For each character, write one good and one bad character trait.
Character
Good Trait
Bad Trait
Dee
Maggie
Mama
Compare and Contrast
7. Why does Dee want the quilts?
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Why does Maggie want the quilts?
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Analyze Plot
8. Reread lines 264—269. Why does Mama give Maggie the quilts?
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Analyze Conflict
9. Circle the sentences that describe the conflicts between Dee and her family.
a. Dee appreciates where she grew up
b. Mama wants Maggie to have the quilts
c. Maggie changes her name
d. Dee has become well-educated
Interpret Theme
10. Circle the statement that tells what the author thinks about heritage.
a. Heritage is a title or property that passes to an heir by law
b. Heritage is those objects and places that have social significance
c. Heritage is a person’s cultural legacy from the distant past
d. Heritage is those things that help us remember and connect to our families
Name:
Period:
Date:
“Everyday Use”
Practice Test
Multiple Choice—Comprehension
Read each of the following questions. Then choose the letter of the best answer.
1. Which of the following can you infer about Maggie?
a. She is eager to see her sister
b. She misses the old house
c. She’s been unsure of herself for years
d. She will soon sell the quilts
2. What is the conflict between Dee and Maggie over?
a. The differences in their styles of clothes
b. Which quilt is worth the most money
c. Where their mother should live
d. Who will get the family’s quilts
3. Dee doesn’t want to bring her friends to Mama’s house because
a. The house is not well kept
b. Dee is ashamed of how Mama lives
c. Dee has no friends
d. The house is difficult to reach
4. Mama’s attitude toward appearances is that she
a. Envies Dee for her fine clothes
b. Is ashamed of how Maggie looks
c. Is comfortable with her looks
d. Secretly wants to own nice clothes
5. The end of the story suggests that Maggie
a. Thought Dee was comical
b. Felt relieved that she could sell the quilts
c. Finally knew her mother liked her better
d. Was content to be who she was
6. Which inference can you make about Dee?
a. She often gets what she wants
b. Her life has been very difficult
c. Most people she meets admire her
d. She respects her mother’s opinion
Vocabulary
Choose the answer that best explains the meaning of each underlined word.
7. To recompose yourself is to
a. Write about yourself
b. Calm yourself
c. Be angry at yourself
d. Prepare yourself for sleep
8. A doctrine is
a. An advanced degree
b. The rules of a game
c. A set of beliefs
d. A medical profession
9. A nation’s heritage is its
a. System of money
b. Number of homes
c. Total population
d. Culture and traditions
10. What does furtive mean?
a. Secretive
b. Brave
c. Frightening
d. Serious
Written Response
Answer the following questions based on your knowledge of the story. Write one
or two sentences on the lines provided.
11. What does the narrator mean when she says that Maggie thinks Dee “has held life
always in the palm of one hand, that ‘no’ is a word the world never learned to say
to her”?
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12. In what way does the house fire affect Maggie? Describe how this event explains
her character.
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Extended Response
Answer the following question based on your knowledge of the story. Write one
paragraph on the lines provided.
13. Describe the differences in Maggie’s and Dee’s characters. Use two examples
from the story to explain your answer.
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