Button, Button

Richard Matheson (1926-2013) was an American author and screenwriter known for his work in horror, science fiction, and fantasy. He wrote numerous acclaimed novels and short stories, including “I Am Legend” and “The Shrinking Man”, many of which were adapted into films. Matheson’s writing often explores psychological terror, the supernatural, and the human condition, making him a significant influence on the genres of horror and science fiction.

Mcqs from the Text

1. Where was the package lying?

(a)by the gate (b) in the cabinet (c) in the oven (d) by the front door

2. Where did Norma put the lamb chops?

(a)in the oven (b) on the stove (c) in the broiler (d) in the refrigerator

3. What was inside the carton?

(a)a gift (b) a transmitter (c) a push-button unit (d) none of these

4. What was Arthur doing when the doorbell rang?

(a)watching baseball (b) watching a movie (c) reading (d) taking a shower

5. What was Norma’s initial thought about Mr. Steward when she opened the door?

(a)he is an insurance agent (b) he is a dry cleaner (c) he is a salesman (d) None of these

6. Where did Mr. Steward sit when they got in the living room?

(a)on a sofa (b) in Norma’s chair (c) in Arthur’s chair (d) on a stool

7. What was in the sealed envelope Mr. Steward withdrew from his coat pocket?

(a)a letter (b) a cheque of $50000 (c) a manual for the gadget (d) a key

8. What will happen on pushing the button?

(a)the box will explode (b) somewhere in the world someone you don’t know will die (c) the relative you don’t like will die (d) None of these

9. How much they will receive on pushing the button?

(a)$5000 (b) $50000 (c) $500000 (d) $100000

10. What did they think of Mr. Steward’s offer?

(a)he is bluffing (b) the offer is genuine (c) it is a practical joke (d) None of these

11. What did Arthur do with Mr. Steward’s card?

(a)tore it into half (b) placed it in his pocket (c) gave it to Norma (d) threw it in a dustbin

12. Why wasn’t Arthur interested in Mr. Steward’s offer?

(a)the reward was not enough (b) he considered it immoral (c) he considered it a joke (d) None of these

13. What did Norma do when she saw Mr. Steward’s card halves lying on the table?

(a) she threw them in the dustbin (b) put them in her purse (c) ignored them (d) None of these

14. When did Norma call Mr. Steward?

(a) after lunch (b) after dinner (c) before 5 o’clock (d) before 7 o’clock

15. What did Norma do to the card halves after lunch?

(a) threw them away (b) put back in the purse (c) scotch taped them (d) None of these

16. What did Norma say to Mr. Steward when she called him?

(a) she believed him (b) she is afraid (c) she is curious (d) she is suspicious

17. What did Norma say when Mr. Steward asked her if she wanted him to return the button unit?

(a) obviously (b) certainly (c) certainly not (d) she is confused

18. When did Norma see when she reached home?

(a) Mr. Steward (b) her husband (c) the package lying by the door (d) Nothing

19. Where did she put the package?

(a)in a safe (b) under the bed (c) bottom cabinet of the kitchen (d) on the kitchen shelf

20. What did Norma plan to do with $50000?

(a) trip to Europe (b) buy a cottage on an island (c) buy a new car (d) both a & b

21. Norma argued that they are saying someone would die to see reactions, see if there would be ____________.

(a) fear (b) guilt (c) distress (d) tension

22. What was her immediate reaction after pushing the button? She was

(a) horrified (b) relieved (c) happy (d) excited

23. What was she doing when she received the phone call?

(a) making supper (b) washing dishes (c) reading the newspaper (d) Watching TV

24. From where did Norma receive the phone call?

(a)Mr. Steward’s office (b) Lenox Hill Hospital (c) Railway station (d) None of these

25. What did the voice inform Norma?

(a) about insurance policy (b) about subway accident (c) about the reward (d) None of these

26. What was inside the box of the button unit?

(a) it was empty (b) transmitters (c) transistor (d) radio

Mcqs Key

1. By the front door 2. In the broiler   3. A push button unit    4. Reading    5. He is a salesman     6. In Norma’s chair    7. A key     8. Somewhere in the world, someone you don’t know will die     9.  $50000        10. It’s a practical joke     12. He considered it immoral      13. Put them in her purse     14. Before 5 o’clock      15. Scotch taped them    16. She is curious      17. Certainly not     18. The package lying by the door     19. Bottom cabinet of kitchen      20. Both a & b          21. Guilt          22. Horrified     23. Making supper     24. Lenox Hill Hospital 25. About the subway accident       26. It was empty.

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

Norma thought Mr. Steward to be some salesman and wanted to get rid of him. Therefore, when Mr. Steward ignored her disinterest and pressed on getting inside, she considered this behavior and tone of Mr. Steward offensive.

Why did Arthur disagree with his wife?

Arthur was a good man with a conscience. He considered it immoral to kill anyone for the sake of money. This was the reason that he did not agree with his wife.

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

Ans. Norma was desperate to get her hands on $ 50000. She tried to persuade her husband because she wanted to fulfill her incomplete desires with this money. She thought that they could go on a trip to Europe and buy a cottage near the sea with this money.

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

Ans. Norma tried to convince her husband that all this might be some psychological research or that an eccentric millionaire was playing games with people. She also argues that it does not make any difference if some old man in far off Chinese village or some diseased man in Congo dies.

Q: Why did Mr. Steward continue persuading Norma?

Ans. Mr. Steward sensed that Norma was interested in the offer that he was making. He might also have figured out that she was greedier than her husband and therefore, easy prey to his temptation.

Q: What was the message Norma received on pushing the button?

Ans. On pushing the button, she received a phone call from Lenox Hill Hospital. The voice on the phone told her about the subway accident where the shoving crowd pushed Arthur in front of the train.

Q: What was the significance of Arthur’s life insurance policy?

Ans. Arthur’s life insurance policy was worth $ 25000. In the current situation, with double indemnity, it will be worth $ 50000.

Q: Did Norma remain normal on receiving the news of the accident of her husband?

Ans. No, Norma did not remain normal upon receiving the news of her husband’s accident. She was shocked and it seemed to her that she could not breathe. She became hysterical and pounded the button unit on the sink edge again and again breaking it into pieces.