“Button, Button” Test Name:

__________________
Date: ___________________
Part A: Multiple Choice
Instructions: Circle the correct answer and then write your answer on the line.

_____ 1. Which was NOT one of Norma and Arthur’s first reactions to Mr. Steward’s offer?
a) Arthur angrily told Mr. Steward to go home.
b) Norma and Arthur expressed disbelief at Mr. Steward’s story.
c) Norma thought about all the things she could buy with $50, 000.
d) Arthur and Norma thought that it was a sales pitch.

_____ 2. Why was Arthur uninterested in the details of the offer?

a) He thought the offer was immoral.
b) He did not need any money.
c) He knew that Mr. Steward was crazy.
d) He thought his wife was a crazy woman.

_____ 3. What is the main conflict in the story?

a) They argue about whether the button even works.
b) Norma wants to press the button, but Arthur refuses.
c) Arthur wants to press the button, but Norma refuses.
d) Both agree to press the button immediately.

_____ 4. How did Norma try to justify to Arthur her interest in the offer?
a) She said that she wanted to give the money to charity.
b) She said that she wanted to be an eccentric millionaire.
c) She said that she wanted the money to improve both their lives.
d) She said that she wanted the money so she could quit her job.

_____ 5. What was the setting of the story.

a) Brooklyn, New York
b) Toronto, Canada
c) New York, New York
d) Manhattan, New York

_____ 6. Which piece of evidence best reveals Norma's curiosity toward Mr. Steward's offer?
a) "Norma put the button unit beside her on the couch. She reread the typed note, smiling." (page 1)
b) "'You think it's a practical joke?' she asked as they went into the bedroom." (page 4)
c) "Norma closed her eyes. Fifty thousand dollars, she thought." (page 4)
d) "While she was stacking dishes, she turned abruptly, dried her hands and took the package from the
bottom cabinet.” (page 9)

_____ 7. Which statement best expresses a theme of the story?

a) Money provides people with interesting opportunities.
b) Being selfish gives people what they want in life.
c) Staying true to good morals causes death.
d) Greed leads to self-destruction.
Part B: True and False
Instructions: Circle T if the statement is true, and F if the statement is false. If the statement is false, please
explain why it is false referencing the story.

1. T F After pressing the button, Norma immediately received $50,000 in cash.

If false, explain: ______________________________________________________________________

2. T F Norma destroyed the button unit and found it was empty inside.

If false, explain: ______________________________________________________________________

3. T F Norma believed pushing the button was not murder because she didn’t know the victim.

If false, explain: ______________________________________________________________________

4. T F Norma’s reasoning for pressing the button included wanting a better life and a baby.

If false, explain: ______________________________________________________________________

5. T F The button unit contained hidden wires and mechanisms that controlled the death.

If false, explain: ______________________________________________________________________

6. T F Mr. Steward’s calm attitude implies that he doesn’t care about the result of the button
being pressed.
If false, explain: ______________________________________________________________________

7. T F Norma believes pressing the button will strengthen her relationship with Arthur.

If false, explain: ______________________________________________________________________

8. T F Arthur is the protagonist of the story.

If false, explain: ______________________________________________________________________

Part C: Short Answer

Instructions: Answer the questions in full sentences referencing the text.

1. Give one character trait to describe Arthur and explain referencing parts of the story.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________
2. Mr. Steward asks Norma if she thinks she really knew her husband. What does he mean by that?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
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Part D: Plot Diagram

Instructions: Read the 11 sentences. Please write the number of the sentence in the correct spot.

(1)
Climax

Falling action
(2)
(3) Rising action

Resolution
Exposition (2)
(3)

A. Norma calls Mr. Steward.

B. Mr. Steward calls Norma.

C. Mr. Steward asks if she really thought she knew her husband.

D. Norma receives the news from the hospital.

E. A man planned to arrive at their apartment at 8:00 that night.

F. Norma begins smashing the button unit on the counter.

G. Norma is intrigued by the proposition and continues to think about the button, repeatedly bringing it up to Arthur.

H. A strange package arrives at Norma and Arthur’s apartment.

I. Mr. Steward arrives.

J. Mr. Steward explains the proposition.

K. Norma presses the button.

 Part E: Characterization
Instructions: complete the chart below answering the questions.

What can be inferred about character(s)?

Quote
Why is this quote significant?
“Norma closed her eyes. Fifty
thousand dollars, she thought.”
“After lunch, she took the card halves
from her purse again and
Scotch-taped the edges together.
‘Why am I doing this?’ she thought.
“… Murder someone?”
Norma looked disgusted. “Murder.”
“How would you define it?”
“If you don’t even know the person?” Norma
said.
Arthur looked astounded. “Are you saying what
I think you are?”
“If it’s some old peasant ten thousand miles
away? Some diseased people in another country?”

Part F: Fill-in-The-Blank
Instructions: Fill in the blanks with the correct word

impulsively – astounded - intrigued – proposition – repressed – eccentric – appalled – immoral - peasant, - abruptly

1. He kept his anger ____________________ during the meeting and spoke calmly.

2. I was ____________________ when I saw how quickly he solved the difficult math problem.

3. In history class, we learned that a ____________________ worked on farms and had little money.

4. Many people believe cheating on a test is ____________________ behavior.

5. Maria bought the expensive shoes ____________________ without thinking about her budget.

6. She was ____________________ when she saw the messy kitchen after the party.

7. The company made a business ____________________ to work together on a new project.

8. The old man wore colorful socks and sang loudly in the park; he seemed very ________________.
 9. The students were ____________________ by the strange object on the teacher’s desk.

10. The teacher ended the lesson ____________________ when the fire alarm rang.

1. A strange package arrives at Norma and Arthur’s apartment.

2. A man planned to arrive at their apartment at 8:00 that night.
3. Mr. Steward arrives.
4. Mr. Steward explains the proposition.
5. Norma is intrigued by the proposition and continues to think about the button, repeatedly bringing it up
to Arthur.
6. Norma calls Mr Steward.
7. Norma presses the button.
8. Norma receives news from the hospital.
9. Norma begins smashing the button unit on the counter.
10. Mr. Steward calls Norma.
11. Mr. Steward asks if she really thought she knew her husband

Here’s the answer key with detailed inferences for the five challenging True/False questions:
1. Norma’s decision to press the button shows that she values curiosity more than morality.
Answer: True
Explanation: Norma’s repeated questioning and fascination with the button indicate that curiosity drives
her actions. She dismisses Arthur’s moral objections and focuses on the “what if” scenario, showing that
her desire to know outweighs ethical concerns.

2. Arthur’s reaction to the offer suggests he is motivated by fear of punishment rather than
empathy.
Answer: False
Explanation: Arthur’s refusal is rooted in empathy and principle. He argues that killing someone—even a
stranger—for money is wrong, regardless of consequences. His stance reflects moral integrity, not fear of
punishment.

3. Mr. Steward’s calm demeanor implies that he is indifferent to the consequences of the
button being pressed.
Answer: True
Explanation: Mr. Steward’s detached, businesslike manner suggests he views the transaction as routine.
He neither warns nor expresses concern, implying indifference or perhaps a role as an agent of a larger,
impersonal system.

4. Norma believes pressing the button will strengthen her relationship with Arthur.
Answer: False
Explanation: Norma presses the button for financial gain and personal satisfaction, not to improve her
marriage. Her disregard for Arthur’s objections shows a lack of understanding of their relationship and its
values.

5. The ending suggests that Norma underestimated the cost of her decision because she
assumed the victim would be a stranger.
Answer: True
Explanation: Norma’s shock at Arthur’s death reveals her assumption that the victim would be someone
unknown. This assumption reflects her narrow moral reasoning—she considered the act acceptable as long
as it didn’t affect her personally.

Would you like me to format this as a printable worksheet with the questions and answer key on
separate pages? Or should I create a version with space for students to write their
explanations?