Flowers for Algernon

Which of these would NOT belong in an objective summary on "Flowers for Algernon"?

• Why Charlie was selected for the procedure.

• The consequences of the procedure (both Charlie's increase and eventual decrease of intelligence).

• How much you liked or disliked the story.

• The story's ending.

What is the point of view of "Flowers for Algernon"?

• first person, from Charlie's point of view

• first-person, Doctor Strauss' point of view

• third person, includes thoughts of all characters

• third person, telling the thoughts of Charlie and Miss Kinnian

Why  do the doctors use Charlie in their experiment?

• They feel he is motivated to try to learn

• He is the only person willing to try it.

• They see that he has bonded with Algernon

• They know he needs a better job.

What can you infer from the details about Charlie at the start of "Flowers for Algernon"?

• He has below-normal intelligence.

• He sees and hears things that are not there.

• He cannot control his temper.

• He cannot hold down a job and support himself

Which of the following can we infer is the reason for Dr. Strauss requiring Charlie to keep a journal?

• To monitor if Charlie was being dishonest about his work hours.

• To monitor Charlie's progress through his words and thoughts.

• To closely watch his communication with people outside the hospital, including his mother and father.

• To secure Algernon's place in medical history.

Who is Algernon?

• One of the doctors

• Charlie's teacher at school for slow adults

• Charlie's friend

• A lab mouse

Why does Charlie agree to have the operation?

• He wants to be smart and know things like other people

• He wants to please Dr. Strauss and Miss Kinnian

• He wants to be able to get a better job

• He wants to beat Algernon in the maze

What can you infer about Charlie's relationship with his co-workers before the experiment?

• He thinks they are good friends and fails to realize that they sometimes tease him cruelly.

• He is deeply hurt by their teasing and fails to realize that they mean it in good fun.

• They are afraid of him and do not like to socialize with him.

• They try so hard to be kind to him that they make him feel awkward and embarassed.

Read the following excerpt from the story: "They called the mouse Algernon. Algernon was in a box with a lot of twists and turns like all kinds of walls and they gave me a pencil and a paper with lines and lots of boxes. On one side, it said START and on the other side it said FINISH. They said it was amazed and that Algernon and me had the same amazed to do. I dint see how we could have the same amazed if Algernon had a box and I had a paper, but I dint say nothing." Based on this quote, what inference can you make?

• The doctors are amazed by Algernon's progress

• The maze Charlie is given is unsolvable and is meant to frustrate Charlie.

• Algernon's maze in the box is the same pattern as the paper maze Charlie has.

• The maze Algernon has in the box is easier than Charlie's.

The success of the operation in "Flowers for Algernon" is most evident in

• Charlie's entry into Boston College.

• Charlie's ability to read an eye chart.

• Charlie's rapid improvement in spelling and grammar in the journal.

• Charlie's quick rise to chief administrator at the hospital.