Name_____________________________________Per_________Date_____________
FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON – TAKE HOME TEST
Part 1: SHORT ANSWER – Answer each of the following questions in a complete sentence or
two. (3 points each)
1. Why does Dr. Strauss feel Charlie is a fit subject for the experiment? Why does Dr.
Nemur disagree?
2. Explain what the Algernon-Gordon Effect is, and what it proves.
3. Once Charlie becomes smart, how does Charlie handle his new intelligence? Is it
making him happy? Explain.
4. Why does Charlie decide to leave New York?
5. What is Charlie’s last request as the story ends? Why is this so important to him?
Part 2: READER RESPONSE – Answer one of the following questions based on the reading of
the story. Offer your opinion based on the information in the story, and support your opinion
based on direct information from the story. This should be in essay form (20 points).
1.
A theme is the author’s message to the reader. It has also been called “the lesson to be
learned” from the story. What is the main theme of this story? How can we apply this theme
or message to our lives today?
2. One of the main reasons’ Charlie decided to have the operation was to gain more friends.
Explain how Charlie’s perception of friendship has changed throughout the story.
3. Does science have the right the right to manipulate human intelligence if a “fool-proof”
operation could be found? Connect this concept to Charlie and the story.
4. After seeing the highs and the lows created by the operation, did Charlie make the right
decision to have the surgery to become smart, or was he better off never having to go
through the hardship of losing it all? Explain.
Part 3: CRITIQUE – Give an honest, quick, evaluation of Flowers for Algernon. Give reasons why
you may or may not have lied the story. You do not have to answer all, but consider the following
questions: (20 points).
- Did the characters appeal to you? Were there too many to follow, or too few?
- Was the story believable or work properly?
- Could you relate to the story?
- Did the style keep the story interesting? Did you find it difficult to read?
- Was the story suspenseful, or easy to predict? Did you enjoy the direction the story went?
- Were you surprised by the ending?
- Would you read something else by the author?
- Would you recommend this book to someone else? A future 8th grader, parents, etc?