Button, Button by Richard Matheson is one of the texts available that you can read on CommonLit. This text is intended for 7th grade with Lexile of 420. The purpose of this text is to learn about how writers build suspense through different characters’ points of view and consider what these perspectives reveal about how we make decisions.
After reading the text, you can then take an assignment by answering some questions according to the text. The assessment questions aim to assess your reading skills whether you understand the text deeply or not. However, before you take assessment questions, it would be better for you to see the discussion of the text first. Here you go!
Discussion of the Button, Button by Richard Matheson on CommonLit
Button, Button by Richard Matheson text can be found on CommonLit here. You may need to see the discussion of the text before you answer the questions. Here some discussions about Button, Button By Richard Matheson found next to the text:
- In paragraphs 90-116, Norma tries to ignore the human suffering that would have to happen in order for her to acquire the $50,000. What do you think the author is saying about the way greed affects people?
- What did you think of the conclusion of the story? What do you think it means that Norma did not know her husband? What message does this present about our relationships and how well we know others?
If you find these kinds of questions, it means that you need to answer them based on your point of view, either according to the text or your opinion.
In addition to seeing the discussion of the text, you can also try to answer the guiding questions to make it easier for you to answer the assessment questions. Here are some guiding questions available on CommonLit:
- Why is Mr. Steward at the Lewises’ apartment?
a. to ask them for a favor
b. to join them for dinner
c. to convince them to buy something
d. to explain the package they received
Answer: d. to explain the package they received - What will happen if the Lewises press the button?
a. They will be rewarded and will save a stranger’s life.
b. They will not be rewarded but will save a stranger’s life.
c. They will not be rewarded, and someone they know will die.
d. They will be rewarded, but someone they do not know will die.
Answer: d. They will be rewarded, but someone they do not know will die. - What causes a conflict in the story?
a. Norma and Arthur are insulted by how Mr. Steward spoke to them.
b. Arthur wants the money Mr. Steward offered, but Norma does not.
c. Arthur wants to know more about the button, but Norma does not.
d. Norma is curious about the button unit, but Arthur is offended by it.
Answer: d. Norma is curious about the button unit, but Arthur is offended by it. - Why does Norma call Mr. Steward?
a. to learn more about the button unit
b. to make sure he never comes back
c. to learn more about his company
d. to thank him for the opportunity
Answer: a. to learn more about the button unit - How does Norma worsen their conflict?
a. by mocking Arthur’s feelings about the button unit
b. by suggesting that Arthur does not make enough money
c. by defending Mr. Steward and the design of the button unit
d. by suggesting she is willing to use the button unit for the money
Answer: d. by suggesting she is willing to use the button unit for the money - What matters most to Norma?
a. material things
b. doing what is right
c. her family and friends
d. figuring out who Mr. Steward is
Answer: a. material things - What happens to Arthur at the end of the story?
a. He leaves Norma.
b. He is injured in a train accident.
c. He is hospitalized for a serious illness.
d. He dies after Norma pushes the button.
Answer: d. He dies after Norma pushes the button.
Button, Button Answer Keys
Because CommonLit does not provide the answer keys for the text of Button, Button, we then looked for the answer keys from another source. Finally, we obtained the examples of the Button, Button answer keys from faspe.info.
However, answer keys that we’ll show you below are only the examples of the answers to Button. Button by Richard Matheson. Since the questions should be answered according to the text, we think you should read and understand the text first. If you find the question based on your point of view, we think you should answer the questions with your own words.
Here are the examples of answer keys to Button, Button by Richard Matheson questions:
Questions:
- What event sets the main action of the story in motion?
- In paragraph 87, Mr. Steward returns the button unit to the Lewis home after his phone conversation with Norma. How does this action affect the Lewises?
- What do paragraphs 97-106 reveal about Norma’s view of the world?
- In paragraphs 129-145, what does the dialogue reveal about Norma’s motivations for pushing the button?
- How do Norma’s personal desires affect the outcome of the story?
Answer Keys:
- Arthur’s argument with Norma over the button unit
- It encourages Norma to consider using the button unit.
- She believes some lives are worth more than others.
- She believes she deserves a better life.
- Norma’s personal desires resulted in her pushing the button, which unknowingly, led to her husband’s death.
Discussion Questions with Answers
- Norma is able to come up with reasons to justify doing what is wrong. Do you think people do this in real life? Explain!
It’s important to note, for this kind of question, we think you should look for the answers to this question based on your point of view. In other words, you need to answer this question with your own words.
To answer this question, you may be able to explain that people actually justify their actions in good manners. According to the text, people like Norma will always present a normative person and have any reasons to claim that their actions are norms, while people’s actions are wrong.
