The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

1. Finish the sentences with the right word. (10 points)

Strange cold nervous true crazy different pleased excited lonely angry
a Mr. and Mrs. Button were very …………… about the birth.
b Mr. Button was …………… when Benjamin broke the window.
c There were many …………… stories about Benjamin in the town.

2. Choose the correct answer. (12 points)

1. Five year-old Benjamin
a. was an excellent companion for his grandfather.
b. liked toys and was never bored in kindergarten.
c. didn’t care about his father.
2. More than anything else, Benjamin wanted to
a. have a cigar every evening.
b. have his father’s love.
c. become a doctor.
3. At twelve years old, Benjamin realised he was
a. popular with women.
b. ready for kindergarten.
c. growing younger.
4. Benjamin won General Moncrief’s respect because
a. he and Hildegarde had an enormous house and a car.
b. Benjamin’s father lived with him.
c. Benjamin published his book.
5. Benjamin joined the army because
a. Hildegarde thought it was a good idea.
b. he wanted adventure.
c. he wanted to write a book about the war.
6. Benjamin did not go to the St Midas preparatory school because
a. he had already studied at Yale College.
b. it was too far from Hildegarde’s house.
c. Roscoe didn’t like the idea.

3. Complete the chart according to the story. (14 points)

Quote Who said it? Because …

1. I never want to see you, or any of
your family again.
2. You see, he’s becoming a real boy.
3. According to this, Benjamin Button
is 18 years old. So you can’t be him!
4. It’s a marvellous book, I’m sure, and
it will be my honour.

5. Yes, I do. I’m sure you can control it.

6. If you don’t grow stronger, you will

have to leave the team.

7. Stand in the corner.

4. Choose the correct answer. (30 points)

Benjamin Button was (1. discovered / born) in 1860. He was not (2. an ordinary / a polite)
baby. Mr and Mrs Button (3. tried / have tried) to help people forget Benjamin’s age. They cut
his (4. suit / beard) and dyed his hair black. Benjamin was confused about his (5. unusual /
sweet) condition and he looked in (6. much / many) medical books, but he didn’t find an
answer. When he was 20 years old, Benjamin looked like a man of 50, and Hildegarde Moncrief
wanted to (7. destroy / marry) him. Hildegarde (8. has wanted / wanted) to marry a 50 year old
man because he could (9. introduce / appreciate) a woman. At first the (10. couple / blanket)
were happy, but Benjamin continued to look younger and younger and he wanted more
adventure. One day in 1898, Benjamin read the (11. hammers / headlines) in the newspaper.
The US was at (12. war / habit) with Spain and he decided to join the army. When he returned,
he began to go to dances (13. scared / alone) and enjoy life. His wife became angry. She
thought Benjamin (14. may / should) look his age like everybody else. Benjamin (15. was giving
/ gave) the family hardware business to his son and registered at Harvard University.
Hildegarde moved to Italy.

5. Answer the following questions. (30 points)

1. What made Roger decide to return to the hospital to see his baby?
2. Why did Benjamin like being with his grandfather?
3. Why did Hildegarde fall in love with Benjamin? Why did their marriage fail?
4. What did Roscoe do to try to make Benjamin look older?
5. The army first made Benjamin feel like a hero, but years later like a failure. Why?
6. How was the second time Benjamin went to kindergarten different from the first time he
went to kindergarten? Compare the two experiences.
7. Have you ever felt very different from other people in your family or in your group of
friends? Explain the circumstances.
8. In your opinion, is Roger Button a good father to Benjamin? Explain your answer.
9. Would you like to live your life like Benjamin Button, moving in age from old to young? Give
some advantages and some disadvantages to this situation.
10. Describe Benjamin’s actions after he read the letter from the army to Brigadier-General
Benjamin Button.

6. Think of a different ending for the story. (5 points)

7.Choose one topic and write a paragraph. Your paragraph should be at least 40 words long.
(20 points)
1. Explain Benjamin’s feelings about his life at age 35.
2. Describe Hildegarde’s feelings after Benjamin returns from the war.
3. Roger Button wants his son to look younger and Roscoe Button wants his father to look
older. Compare their situations and describe their suggestions to Benjamin.

8. Did you like the book? Why? Why not?. Would you recommend it? (5 points)