Critiques of American Society in Science Fiction — Quiz
Question 2 • English Language Arts 11
Read the excerpt from "Harrison Bergeron." And George, while his intelligence was way above normal, had a little mental handicap radio in his ear. He was required by law to wear it at all times. It was tuned to a government transmitter. Every twenty seconds or so, the transmitter would send out some sharp noise to keep people like George from taking unfair advantage of their brains. How is this excerpt an example of irony?
Answer
A
The mental handicap radio is incapable of correcting physical advantages.
B
Handicapping intelligence is pointless because determining whether one’s intelligence is above normal is a matter of opinion.
C
If George were really that intelligent, he would remove the device from his ear.
D
Handicapping intelligence contradicts expectations because intelligence is normally considered a positive attribute.