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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to Esme, how do her new students in her new school (as of the Epilogue) behave?
(a) Like little angels.
(b) Like weird aliens.
(c) Like spoiled brats.
(d) Like gangster thugs.

2. Which student, according to Codell, is "an old lady in disguise"?
(a) Esther.
(b) Selena.
(c) Asha.
(d) Vanessa.

3. In Codell's reading group method, what role does the "literary luminary" play?
(a) Reading passages out loud.
(b) Defining difficult words in the text.
(c) Guessing what comes next in the plot of the book.
(d) Making questions up about the book.

4. Why doesn't Codell respond favorably to the educational chiropractor?
(a) She believes her classroom seating arrangement is just fine without someone interfering.
(b) She wishes to sign her name "Madame Esme," and the educational chiropractor discourages this.
(c) She doesn't believe in the curriculum conformity he advocates.
(d) She thinks the rules being proposed are much too harsh for the students.

5. Why did Esme receive a low teacher rating in her second year of teaching?
(a) Vindictive Mr. Turner punished her for her outspoken nature.
(b) She was pregnant, and took too many sick days.
(c) She refused to follow state-mandated curricula.
(d) She had a disastrous second annual Storyteller's Festival.

6. How many stages does Codell create as part of her Storyteller Festival?
(a) Zero.
(b) Four.
(c) One.
(d) Two.

7. According to the educational chiropractor, how many units can a teacher teach per school year?
(a) 14.
(b) 5.
(c) 25.
(d) 9.

8. What organization gives a teaching award to Codell, as described in the April 7 entry?
(a) The National Teachers' Association.
(b) Chicago Area Reading Association.
(c) The American Organization for Teaching Excellence.
(d) American Civil Liberties Union.

9. What is the stated purpose of the "educational chiropractor" early in Part III?
(a) To "massage" the teachers' union into agreeing to lesser pay.
(b) To "straighten out" the student body.
(c) To "align" the teachers' curriculum.
(d) To "work out the kinks" in school rules.

10. What activity did Codell have the class do to learn about Asia?
(a) Dress as samurai.
(b) Stage a kabuki theater play.
(c) Make a kimono.
(d) Make sushi.

11. How successful is the film Codell shows for sexual education?
(a) It sparks a valuable debate.
(b) It makes several students cry.
(c) It successfully answers most of the students' questions.
(d) It leads to more confusion than clarity.

12. What animal does Melanie do her vertebrate report on?
(a) Rat.
(b) Giraffe.
(c) Hyena.
(d) Cat.

13. According to the end of Part II, what is Codell's ultimate career aspiration?
(a) She wishes to become a school principal.
(b) She wishes to remain a teacher of fifth-graders.
(c) She wants to be a school librarian.
(d) She wishes to join the teachers' union full-time.

14. How does Codell teach the students to multiply double-digit numbers?
(a) By staging a Jeopardy-style game show.
(b) By using "cha-cha" dance steps.
(c) By creating an elaborate flashcard system.
(d) By having the students create an Aesop's Fable about the numbers.

15. What does JoEllen ask Codell during sexual education?
(a) JoEllen wonders if sex has to take place underwater.
(b) JoEllen wonders if she will eventually lay an egg.
(c) JoEllen wonders what her mom meant by the term "abortion."
(d) JoEllen wonders if sex involves goldfish.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why is Codell's day spoiled on April 11th?

2. In the Epilogue, what is Esme Codell's impression of Mr. Turner?

3. What unusual request does Ms. Coil make of Codell?

4. According to Jim Trelease, what kind of portrayal is Educating Esme, with respect to American education?

5. What is one of the songs Codell hears in her mind when Mr. Turner is frustrating her?

(see the answer keys)

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