The School Story

Multiple Choice and Long Answer questions create ideal opportunities for whole-book review, unit exam, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. Which best describes why Natalie shows Zoe her novel in the first place?

A) Natalie wants Zoe to edit the novel.

B) Natalie wants Zoe’s opinion on the novel.

C) Natalie wants Zoe to get the novel published.

D) Natalie wants Zoe to help her finish the novel.

2. What is the most likely reason Natalie hid the books her father used to read to her?

A) The memories were too painful.

B) She didn’t like those books anymore.

C) She wanted to protect the memories she had with her father.

D) She hated the way her mother read to her.

3. Why does Zoe do most of the talking when interacting with characters like Ms. Clayton and Mr. Reisman?

A) Zoe knows them better and is more comfortable speaking to them.

B) Zoe thinks Natalie is not good at explaining things.

C) Zoe wants to practice her Zee Zee Reisman persona

D) Zoe has a talent for getting her way by talking.

4. What does it mean when the Natalie says, “Cassandra Day is dead” (Chapter 6?

A) Natalie has lost faith in the plan and motivation to continue.

B) Natalie has chosen a different pseudonym.

C) Natalie has killed off the main character in her book.

D) Natalie needs time to get over her grief.

5. Which best explains why Hannah is worried about telling Natalie about The Cheater?

A) Hannah doesn’t want to spoil the novel for Natalie.

B) Hannah is worried that the book won’t get published.

C) Natalie has expressed that she doesn’t like cheaters.

D) Hannah thinks some parts of the book will be hard for Natalie to read.

6. Why does Hannah believe Letha should have let Hannah keep The Cheater as an assignment?

A) Hannah thinks she is the best one for the job.

B) Letha has an established career while Hannah is still trying to boost her own.

C) Hannah knows the novel was written by Natalie.

D) Hannah has already made a deal with Zee Zee Reisman.

7. Which word best describes Letha Springfield?

A) Ambitious

B) Pessimistic

C) Kind-hearted

D) Honest

8. What is the most likely reason Zoe contacts the news?

A) She thinks Natalie wouldn’t come clean about her identity without the news there.

B) She wants to become famous.

C) She wants to give The Cheater more publicity.

D) She wants her dad to see her on TV.

9. Why does Natalie get upset when she receives the first marked-up, edited copy of her manuscript?

A) She thinks her mom ruined the book.

B) She’s worried this means the book isn’t good.

C) Her mom wrote some mean notes about the book.

D) She’s scared she won’t be able to finish them all.

10. What does the ending imply about Natalie’s and Zoe’s future?

A) Natalie will continue to write with a new, professional literary agent.

B) Natalie will go back to being a normal middle schooler and stop writing books. 

C) Natalie and Zoe will go on to work at Shipley Junior Books.

D) Natalie will continue to write with Zoe as her agent.

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. How does the figurative language in chapter titles like “A Portrait of the Bulldog as a Young Girl” and “Poker, Anyone?” communicate broader ideas? What do these metaphors mean?

2. How does Ms. Clayton’s character develop as she helps the girls with their plan? How do her feelings about teaching change over the course of the story?