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A boy named Dickie is taken to a mysterious Government building for a special test on his birthday. He drinks a strange liquid, answers questions, and faces a machine in a cold and official room.
Examination Day by Henry Slesar. The Jordans never spoke of the exam, not until their son, Dick, was 12 years old. It was on his birthday that Mrs. Jordan first mentioned the subject in his presence, and the anxious manner of her speech caused her husband to answer sharply. “Forget about it,” he said.
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A short story analysis of Examination Day by Henry Slesar, a dystopian tale of a boy who is killed for having a high IQ. The story explores the themes of fear, suppression, control, freedom and acceptance in a totalitarian society.
In this story, a 12-year-old boy takes a mandatory intelligence test that could lead to his execution if he scores too high. Readers share their reactions, reviews and questions about the shocking ending and the themes of freedom and choice.
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Examination Day. By Henry Slesar. 1958. Henry Slesar (1927-2002) was an American author and playwright. He’s known for his use of irony and unexpected endings. In this shot science fiction story, a boy is required by the government to take an intelligence exam once he turns 12.
A study guide for the short story “Examination Day” by Henry Slesar, a futuristic tale of a boy who faces a deadly intelligence test. Learn about the author, the genre, the plot twist, and the themes of the text.
