The Benefits of Being an Octopus

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

Multiple Choice

1. Which of the following best describes Lenny?

A) He is psychologically abusive.

B) He dislikes incompetence.

C) He likes football better than family.

D) He is physically abusive.

2. Why is gun ownership a complicated argument for Zoey in the novel?

A) Zoey doesn’t want to speak out against her peers.

B) Zoey has minimal experience with gun ownership.

C) Zoey has more experience with guns than most.

D) Zoey can see the pitfalls and benefits of guns.

3. What is the significance of octopuses in the novel?

A) It is the tattoo Zoey draws on her body.

B) Zoey admires the octopus.

C) Zoey uses the octopus as a coping mechanism.

D) Octopuses have many skills.

4. Which of the following plot scenarios best represents Zoey’s chaotic home life?

A) She is the only caregiver for her siblings.

B) Zoey is organized but smells bad.

C) The children are often afraid when Lenny is home.

D) She spies on her mother’s boyfriend through the peephole.

5. What comparison accurately depicts the differences between Matt’s life and Zoey’s?

A) Stability and instability

B) Good-looking and ugly

C) Clean and dirty

D) Mean and kind

6. Why is Zoey friends with Fuchsia?

A) Zoey feels the need to solve all of Fuchsia’s problems.

B) They share similar experiences and socioeconomic backgrounds.

C) Fuchsia feels sorry for Zoey because she is poor.

D) Zoey and Fuchsia’s parents are friends.

7. What effect does Zoey’s socioeconomic background have on her self-esteem?

A) She is ostracized and overlooked by her peers.

B) She cannot escape her circumstances.

C) She feels as though she is not as good as everyone else

D) She cannot cope with schoolwork and thinks she is unintelligent.

8. What does Kayla’s assessment of Darwinian theory reveal about her character?

A) She thinks physical fitness is important.

B) She does not see the need to help others.

C) Kayla thinks superiority comes from genes.

D) She believes superior beings are justified in attacking weaker beings.

9. Why does debate become an important pastime for Zoey in the novel?

A) It serves as a catalyst for her future career.

B) It helps her to overcome poverty.

C) It builds her confidence in sharing ideas and discerning arguments.

D) It helps her to build relationships outside her normal sphere of acquaintances.

10. What can the reader infer the author believes about those from poor socioeconomic backgrounds?

A) They are excluded by society because they don’t communicate well.

B) They cannot escape their social and financial burdens.

C) They have a lesson to teach other people about gun control.

D) They have fewer resources, and therefore society ostracizes them.

11. When does Zoey’s attitude toward her circumstances begin to change?

A) When Ms. Rochambeau assures her that she can make choices

B) When Zoey challenges Lenny on his bullying

C) When Connor helps Zoey and her family escape Lenny

D) When she speaks out in debate class

12. How does Ms. Rochambeau’s attitude toward Zoey change when she identifies with her family life?

A) She lowers her expectations for Zoey.

B) She realizes Zoey is a lost cause.

C) She is kinder to Zoey than she is to the other students.

D) She encourages Zoey to face challenges.

13. Which of the following statements best describes Zoey’s character growth in the novel?

A) Zoey begins to make friends with other children based on her improved appearance.

B) She confronts her learned helplessness and makes changes to improve her life.

C) Zoey feels as though she is finally worthy of love and attention.

D) She develops as a person who is in a position of power.

14. Why does Kara stay with Lenny despite his treatment of her?

A) Affection

B) Protection

C) Financial Stability

D) Hopelessness

15. How do Zoey’s family life and experience give her an understanding beyond that of her peers?

A) She has more insight into difficult topics.

B) She is less likely to worry about what other people think of her.

C) She can provide more intelligent arguments to her peers.

D) Unlike many of her peers, she sees the world in black and white.

Long Answer

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

1. Zoey describes Lenny as manipulative. How was Lenny being manipulative by asking Kara to work from home? Why do you think Kara refused?

2. What is the importance of transportation and lack of transportation in the novel? How is transportation a major issue for Zoey’s family?