Story Check
Where year does the story take place?
2081
Why are people forced to wear handicaps?
To make everyone “equal” by preventing people from being stronger, smarter, more attractive, or more talented than others.
Find one piece of evidence showing that George is intelligent.
Accept an accurate quotation or paraphrase with a citation.
What does the C in CERER stand for?
Claim.
Why might George refuse to remove his handicaps even though they make his life harder?
He fears punishment and has accepted the government's rules.
Who are Harrisons parents?
George and Hazel
What does George’s mental handicap prevent him from doing?
Thinking deeply or maintaining a train of thought.
Find evidence showing that citizens can be punished for removing their handicaps.
Accept the section where George explains the penalties for removing weight from his handicap bag.
What should a strong claim do?
Clearly and specifically answer the question.
Why don't people immediately follow Harrison when he removes his handicaps?
Possible answers include fear, conditioning, acceptance of government control, inability to think independently, or fear of punishment.
Why does George have to wear a mental handicap radio?
Because he has above-average intelligence, and the government uses the radio to interrupt his thoughts.
Why do the ballerinas wear masks and weights?
To hide their beauty and limit their physical abilities.
Find evidence showing that Harrison is not afraid to challenge the government.
Accept evidence from his television appearance/removal of his handicaps.
What is the difference between evidence and reasoning?
Evidence comes from the text; reasoning explains how/why that evidence supports the claim.
How has the government made rebellion difficult without constantly watching every citizen?
Citizens have been conditioned to follow the rules and police themselves because they fear punishment and have been prevented from thinking independently.
What happens when Harrison appears on television?
He removes his handicaps, declares himself Emperor, chooses a ballerina as his Empress, and dances with her.
What happens if George removes some of the weights from his handicap bag?
He could be punished with prison and a fine.
Find evidence showing that the government uses fear or violence to maintain control.
Examples could include the punishment for removing handicaps or Diana Moon Glampers shooting Harrison and the ballerina.
Which is reasoning?
A. “George wears a mental handicap radio.”
B. “This shows that the government prevents intelligent people from thinking long enough to question its rules.”
B
What does George's behavior suggest about how long-term government control affects people?
People can become so accustomed to control that they stop questioning it or imagining alternatives.
How does Harrison’s rebellion end?
Diana Moon Glampers shoots and kills Harrison and the ballerina.
How do the handicaps help the government maintain control beyond simply making people equal?
They prevent people from thinking independently, using their talents, questioning the system, or effectively resisting it.
Find a piece of evidence that could support this claim:
“People do not join Harrison because they are afraid of what will happen if they rebel.”
Multiple answers possible. Students must explain why their evidence supports the claim.
Turn this weak reasoning into stronger reasoning: “This proves people were scared.”
The threat of punishment shows that citizens have learned that resisting the government has serious consequences, which helps explain why they are unwilling to follow Harrison's rebellion.
In the story, people are reluctant to join Harrison in removing their handicaps. Give TWO reasons why.
Possible Answer: They fear punishment from the government, and years of handicapping have conditioned them to accept the system rather than question it.