Button Button Question & Answer

Q.1    Why did Norma consider the tone and attitude of Mr. Steward offensive?

Ans.   Norma didn’t like Mr. Steward’s attitude because he insisted on giving information to her about what he had brought, even though she had told him that she was busy, and that she was not interested in the offer.

Q.2    Why did Arthur disagree with his wife?

Ans.   Arthur disagreed with her because he considered the killing of a human being an immoral act. He thought that it did not make any difference whether or not they knew the person who died.

Q.3     Why did Norma try to persuade her husband to agree with her?

Ans.   She tried to persuade her husband to agree with her because she wanted to fulfill her dreams. Fifty thousand dollars, for example, could help them to go on a trip to Europe, buy a cottage on the island, have a nicer apartment, nicer furniture, nicer clothes and a car.

Q.4     What were the reasons Norma gave to her husband to accept the offer?

Ans.   She told Arthur it would not be murder if they did not know the person who died. She thought that those who had made the offer would not actually kill any one, and that they were probably doing it for some research project.

Q.5     Why did Mr. Steward continue persuading Norma?

Ans.   Mr. Steward continued persuading Norma as he had perhaps observed that she could ultimately fall a prey to the temptation of $ 50,000. Arthur had turned down the offer straight away but Norma had not shown any outright rejection.

Q.6     What was the message Norma received on pushing the button?

Ans.   On pushing the button, Norma received the message of her husband’s death A voice on telephone informed her of the subway accident in which a shoving crowd had pushed Arthur in front of the train

Q.7     What is the significance of Arthur’s life insurance policy?

Ans.   Arthur’s life insurance policy was for $ 25,000. With double indemnity in case of his accidental death, its worth was $50,000, and coincidentally, the same amount had been offered by Mr. Steward.

Q.8     Did Norma remain normal on hearing the news of the accident of her husband?

Ans.   She could not remain normal on hearing the news of her husband’s death. She could not seem to breathe. She was in a state of numbness and a great shock.

Q.1     Give a description of the package Norma found by front door.

Ans.   It was a cube-shaped carton sealed with tape. The names and address of Arthur and Norma were printed by hand on it.

Q.2     What message was scotch-taped to the bottom of the box?

Ans.   The message which was scotch-taped to the bottom of the box said that Mr. Arthur would call them at 8: 00 p.m.

Q.3     What was printed on Mr. Steward’s card?

Ans.   Only Mr. Steward’s name and telephone number were printed on the card.

Q.4     What were the feelings of Norma after pushing the button?

Ans.   She shuddered and a chill of horror swept across her. However, this feeling lasted only a moment. She thought it was ridiculous to get worked up over nothing.

Q.5     What was inside the button unit when Norma smashed it?

Ans.   There was nothing in the box. There were no transistors, wires or tubes. No nails or screws were visible.

Q.6     Who was Mr. Steward and what was his offer to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur?

Ans.   Mr. Steward was a representative of an anonymous organization. He offered them that if they pushed the button, somewhere in the world someone they did not know would die. In return for this they would receive a payment of $50,000.

Q.7     How did Arthur treat Mr. Steward after listening to his offer?

Ans.   Arthur became angry. He thrust the button unit and the envelope into Mr. Steward’s hands and asked him to leave.

Q.8     Why did Mr. Steward return the package though Norma had told him that she was not interested?

Ans.  Norma’s ringing Mr. Steward made him feel that she was interested in the offer and could easily be persuaded. So, he returned the package.

Q.9    What compelled Norma to push the button?

Ans.  Norma very desperately wanted be get money to improve her life style.  She did not have control over her desires Furthermore, curiosity and materialism compelled her to push the button.

Q.10   How was Arthur different from Norma?

Ans.   He had control on his desires. He considered killing someone immoral. Norma was subject to her desires and wanted to fulfill them by hook or by crook.

Q.11   Why did Norma get up earlier than usual to cook things for Arthur’s breakfast?

Ans.   She wanted to please her husband. She also wanted to prove that she was not selfish. That is why she got up earlier than usual to cook him a good breakfast.

Q.12   Who might be killed according to Norma and Arthur?

Ans.   According to Norma, it might be some old Chinese peasant ten thousand miles away or some diseased native in the Congo, whereas Arthur thought it might be some baby boy in Pennsylvania or some beautiful little girl on the next block.

Q.13   How did Arthur die?

Ans.  Arthur died in a subway accident. A shoving crowd pushed him from the platform in front of the train.

Comprehension-Based MCQs –Textbook Exercise

Tick (ü) mark the correct answer:

(1)           Where did Norma put the lamb chops?

            (a)    in the oven                                    (c)    in the broiler

            (b)    in the freezer                                 (d)    in the basket

(2)           There was a small man ______.

            (a)    in the porch                                   (c)    in the room           

            (b)    at the door                                                (d)    in the hallway

(3)           Where was the key to the bell-unit dome?

            (a)    in the box                                     (c)   in the drawer          

            (b)    in the sealed envelope                 (d)   in the pocket

(4)           What was the reward for pushing the button?

            (a)    $25,000                                         (c)    $50,000    

            (b)    $5,000                                          (d)    $2,500

(5)           What was the question of Norma that made Mr. Steward embarrassed?

            (a)    Where do you live?                        (c)   How do you do?    

            (b)    What do you sell?                         (d)   Who do you represent?

(6)           What could have happened by pushing the button?

            (a)    Somewhere in the world a bird would die.

            (b)    Someone would die in the neighborhood.

            (c)    Some songs would be heard.

            (d)    Somewhere in the world some unknown person would die.

(7)           Why didn’t Arthur agree to the offer of Mr. Steward for pushing the button?

            (a)    He considered it a practical joke.   

            (b)    He didn’t rely on him.

            (c)    He considered death of some unknown person a murder.

            (d)    He didn’t believe him.

(8)           Why was the offer of $50,000 attractive for Norma?

            (a)    She had a plan to improve her life.

            (b)    She felt no harm in helping someone to conduct a psychological research.

            (c)    She wanted to purchase a set of jewellery.

            (d)    She wanted to buy a new house.

(9)           Who in Norma’s opinion, was the researcher?

            (a)    a psychiatrist                                 (c)    a doctor   

            (b)    an eccentric millionaire                   (d)    a murderer

(10)         Why didn’t Norma take the consent of her husband to comply with the instructions of Mr. Steward?

            (a)    because he couldn’t understand the idea

            (c)    because he would share the offer

            (b)    he considered it a murder

            (d)    he considered it moral to kill some unknown person for the sake of money.

Button Button Comprehension-Based MCQs 

(1)          Mr. Steward’s______ had been offensive.

(a)    voice                                             (c)    tone                  

(b)    tune                                              (d)    sound

(2)          ______, Norma dropped the card halves into her purse.

(a)    knowingly                                      (c)    unknowingly       

(b)    numbly                                          (d)    impulsively   

(3)          She locked the front door and joined Arthur in the ______

(a)    hallway                                          (c)    elevator             

(b)    ladder                                           (d)    stairs 

(4)          Norma almost hung up but ______ herself.

(a)    reprimanded                                  (c)    shrugged           

(b)    disgusted                                      (d)    restrained 

(5)           “May be some eccentric ______ is playing games with people,” she said

(a)    psychiatrist                                    (c)    insurance company

(b)    millionaire                                      (d)    organization  

(6)          While she was ______ dishes, she turned abruptly, dried her hands and took the package from the bottom cabinet. 

(a)    scrubbing                                     (c)    stacking             

(b)    drying                                          (d)    smashing 

(7)          Something cold pressed at her ______ as she removed the button unit from the wastebasket.

(a)    skull                                              (c)    spine                 

(b)    heart                                             (d)    mind

(8)          ______, she began to smash it on the sink edge, pounding it harder and harder, until the wood split.

(a)    anxiously                                       (c)    abruptly             

(b)    curiously                                       (d)    vaguely 

(9)          Norma ______with a gasp as the telephone rang.

            (a)    gagged                                         (c)    mused     

            (b)    whirled                                          (d)    stiffened

(10)        Mr. Steward did not tell the name of his organization because:

            (a)    He was not permitted.                                (c)    He was lying.

            (b)    He was a robber.                           (d)    He did not know.

(11)        What did Mr. Steward leave on the table when he left?

(a)    the key                                          (c)    the button unit

(b)    the envelope                                 (d)    his card

(12)        What did Norma find inside the button unit?

(a)    Wires                                            (c)    transistors

(b)    tubes                                            (d)    nothing

(13)       Who rang up Norma when she had pushed the button?

(a)    Mr. steward                                   (c)    insurance officer

(b)    someone from hospital                  (d)    someone from railway station

(14)       Norma thought the package was something related to ______.

(a)    an insurance policy                        (c)    a psychological research

(c)    a practical joke                              (d)    sales

(15)       Norma called Mr. Steward ______.

            (a)    out of curiosity                              (c)    out of joy

            (b)    to reject his offer                           (d)    to accept his offer

(16)         Abruptly, she began to smash it on the sink edge, ______ it harder and harder, until the wood split.

            (a)    pounding                                     (c)    fondling   

            (b)     stroking                                       (d)    coaxing 

(17)         Norma held the torn edges together while she was on her ______.

            (a)    lunch break                                   (c)    day break           

            (b)    tea break                                                  (d)    coffee break

(18)         Norman saw the button unit second time as she left the ______.

            (a)    room                                             (c)    office            

            (c)    apartment                                      (d)    elevator

(19)         What did Arthur do with Mr. Steward’s card?

            (a)    He read it.                                     (c)    He kept it.            

            (b)    He tore it.                                      (d)    He returned it.

(20)         According to Mr. Steward, the bell was ______ to his office.

            (a)     adjusted                                       (c)     connected

            (b)     directed                                       (d)     engineered

(21)         “May be some ______ millionaire is doing it.”

            (a)    psychological                                (c)    invalid      

            (b)    appalling                                       (d)    eccentric 

(22)         “Mr. Steward will ______ you at 8.00 P.M.”

            (a)    call                                                (c)    call out to             

            (b)    call off                                          (d)    call on

(23)         How did Steward look? He was ______.

            (a)    small                                             (c)    tall           

            (b)    fat                                                 (d)    bulky

(24)         How did Arthur react to the offer of Steward?

            (a)    He was excited                                          (c)    He was happy

            (b)    He was astounded                         (d)    He was offended

(25)         How did Norma feel about the card?

            (a)    She was worried.                            (c)    She was curious.

            (b)    She was disgusted.                       (d)    She was appalled.

(26)         Why did Arthur reject the offer?

            (a)    He did not like Steward                  (c)    He did not need money.

            (b)    He did not believe it.                      (d)    He thought it immoral.

(27)         What did Arthur say about pushing the button?

            (a)    It would give money.                      (c)    It would be a murder

            (b)    It would be ungraceful.                   (d)    It would fulfill their dreams.

(28)         What happened to Norma when she pushed the button?

            (a)    She felt curious                              (c)    She felt frightened

            (b)    She was offended                         (d)    She was disappointed. 

(29)         Where did Norma throw the unit after pushing the button?

            (a)    into the cabinet                                          (c)    into the wastebasket

            (b)    into the table                                             (d)    into the street 

(30)         How was Arthur killed?

            (a)    He was poisoned.                                      (c)    He was suffocated.

            (b)    He was pushed in front of the train.            (d)    He was shot dead.

Synonyms-Based MCQs

Each question has four possible answers. Tick (ü) mark the correct answer:

(1)          The package was lying by the front door.

            (a)    cloth                                             (c)    piece       

            (b)    instrument                                     (d)    parcel

(2)          “Oh, Yes.” Norma repressed a smile.

(a)     suppressed                                  (c)    presented          

(b)     pounded                                      (d)    stumbled

(3)          Mr. Steward’s tone had been offensive

(a)    polite                                            (c)    angry                 

(b)    aggressive                                    (d)    unpleasant

(4)          Mr. Steward nodded. “Monetarily,” he said.

(a)     hesitated                                      (c)    refused              

(b)     commenced                                 (d)    agreed

(5)          Norma frowned. She didn’t like his attitude.

(a)     astounded                                    (c)    scowled             

(b)     hesitated                                      (d)    shrugged

(6)          What is that gadget, anyway?

(a)     offer                                            (c)    device               

(b)     furor                                            (d)    package

(7)          Mr. Steward looked embarrassed.

(a)    pleased                                         (c)    keen                  

(b)    pathetic                                        (d)    uncomfortable

(8)          “Aren’t you curious at all?”

(a)     strange                                        (c)    odd                   

(b)     interested                                     (d)    involved

(9)          “Doesn’t it intrigue you?”

(a)     fascinate                                      (c)    conspire            

(b)     abhor                                           (d)    disgust

(10)        “Because it’s immoral,” he told her.

(a)    ethical                                           (c)    illegible              

(b)    unethical                                       (d)    obligatory 

(11)        “Well, I think it’s intriguing,” she said.

(a)    cunning                                         (c)    fascinating         

(b)    devilish                                         (d)    conspiring

(12)        Impulsively, Norma dropped the card halves into her purse.

(a)    knowingly                                      (c)    enthusiastically  

(b)    numbly                                         (d)    thoughtlessly

(13)        She made a scoffing sound.

(a)    funny                                            (c)    mocking            

(b)    intriguing                                       (d)    appalling 

(14)        “Nonetheless, that is the proposition,” Mr. Steward said.

(a)    supposition                                   (c)    linking word       

(b)    consideration                                (d)    proposal

(15)        Nonetheless, that is the proposition.

(a)    perhaps                                        (c)    certainly   

(b)    nevertheless                                  (d)    obviously

(16)        Arthur looked astounded, “Are you saying what I think you are?”

(a)    dazed                                           (c)    curious              

(b)    incredulous                                   (d)    guarded

(17)        Arthur stared at her, appalled.

(a)    glared                                           (c)    offended           

(b)    restrained                                      (d)    horrified

(18)        Norma shrugged, “Fine with me.”

(a)    showed fear                                  (c)    showed confidence

(b)    showed indifference                      (d)    showed pleasure 

(19)        “Well,” she gestured vaguely.

(a)    ambiguously                                 (c)    intriguingly         

(b)    incredulously                                 (d)    ridiculously

(20)        Arthur stared at her in dismay.

(a)    guilt                                              (c)    furor 

(b)    embarrassment                             (d)    disappointment

(21)        He looked incredulous.

(a)    doubtful                                        (c)    stunned             

(b)    hurt                                               (d)    offended

(22)        All this furor over a meaningless button!

(a)    fuss                                              (c)    enthusiasm        

(b)    resolution                                      (d)    sickness

(23)        As she hung up, she remembered Arthur’s life-insurance policy for $25,000, with double indemnity for….”

(a)    vagueness                                    (c)    injury                 

(b)    compensation                               (d)    authenticity

(24)        She struggled to her feet and walked into the kitchen numbly.

(a)    ridiculously                                    (c)    expressionlessly

(b)    contemptuously                            (d)    abruptly

(25)        Stumbling into the living room, she picked up the receiver

(a)    sliding                                           (c)    striving              

(b)    staring                                          (d)    staggering

(26)         Mr. Steward inquired politely.

(a)    slowly                                           (c)    respectfully

(b)    carefully                                        (d)    rudely

(27)         Norma almost hung up but restrained herself .

(a)    demonstrated                                (c)    prolonged            

(b)    controlled                                     (d)    hesitated

(28)         Norma was sure that it was a sales pitch.

(a)    sales man                                                 (c)    persuasion

(b)    business                                       (d)    job

(29)         Mr. Steward answered, “Oh, it’s quite authentic.

(a)    trustworthy                                    (c)    clever

(b)    decent                                          (d)    amazing

(30)         Inside the carton was a push button unit fastened to the small wooden box.

(a)    fixed                                             (c)    entered    

(b)    laid                                               (d)    put

(31)         “Monetarily?” she challenged.

(a)    remotely                                        (c)    methodically         

(b)    financially                                     (d)    completely

(32)         The offer is completely genuine.

(a)    full                                                (c)    careless               

(b)    authentic                                       (d)    fantastic

(33)         The organization is of international scope.

(a)    market                                          (c)    concern    

(b)    range                                            (d)    device

(34)         Arthur picked up the button and thrust it into Mr. steward’s hands.

(a)    thrived                                          (c)     poured    

(b)    forced                                          (d)     tossed

(35)         Arthur tore it in half and tossed the pieces onto the table.

(a)    threw                                             (c)    pushed    

(b)     put                                              (d)    decorated

(36)         May be some eccentric millionaire is doing it.

(a)    abnormal                                       (c)    normal     

(b)    wealthy                                         (d)    touchy

(37)         Norma slid beneath the covers.

(a)    bent                                              (c)    ran           

(b)    slipped                                         (d)    went

(38)         Norma almost hung up.

(a)    lifted                                             (c)    hanged    

(b)    wept                                             (d)    disconnected

(39)         That’s crazy.

(a)    absurd                                          (c)    odd         

(b)    wonderful                                      (d)    cunning

(40)         Norma stiffened.

(a)    cried                                             (c)    hardened  

(b)    questioned                                    (d)    stopped

(41)         She glared at the carton as she unlocked the door.

(a)    stared                                           (c)    appalled   

(b)    mocked                                       (d)    frowned

(42)         Norma looked disgusted, “Murder!”

(a)    diseased                                       (c)    defensive 

(b)    disregarded                                  (d)    displeased

(43)         Some diseased native in the Congo.

(a)    dead                                             (c)     defeated 

(b)    ill                                                  (d)     displeased

(44)         Arthur countered.

(a)    opposed                                       (c)     forced     

(b)    discussed                                     (d)     collected

(45)         She shuddered.

(a)    trembled                                       (c)     moved    

(b)    walked                                          (d)     threatened

(46)         Arthur voice was guarded.

(a)    recorded                                       (c)     guaranteed          

(b)    cautious                                        (d)     trembling

(47)         See if there would be guilt, anxiety, ever what.

(a)    loudness                                       (c)     abruptness                      

(b)    nervousness                                 (d)     haste

(48)         Norma remained at the table staring into her coffee.

(a)    feeling                                          (c)     matching 

(b)    sipping                                         (d)     gazing

(49)         While she was stacking dishes, she turned abruptly.

(a)    washing                                        (c)     drying     

(b)    drawing                                         (d)     piling

(50)         “How ridiculous!” the thought.

(a)    absurd                                          (c)     rash        

(b)    sad                                               (d)     frightful

(51)         She made a contemptuous noise.

(a)    loud                                              (c)     arrogant  

(b)    scornful                                        (d)     funny

(52)         The shoving crowd pushed Arthur from the platform in front of the train.

(a)    huge                                             (c)     large       

(b)    small                                            (d)     pushing

(53)         Abruptly she began to smash it on the sink edge.

(a)    crash                                            (c)     dash       

(b)    abash                                           (d)     splash

(54)         She whirled with a gasp as the telephone rang.

            (a)    turned                                           (c)     dashed         

            (b)    moved                                          (d)     stumbled

(55)         They want to know what average people would do under such a circumstance!

            (a)    proposition                                   (c)     research  

            (b)    things                                           (d)     situation

Answer Key

Button Button Comprehension-Based MCQs –Textbook Exercise

Button Button Comprehension-Based MCQs

Button Button Synonyms-Based MCQs