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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In Chapter XII, "Melissa Goes to the Zoo," what does Melissa tell Kelly about her all-black outfit?
(a) It makes her look like Ms. Udell.
(b) It makes her look much older.
(c) It is depressing.
(d) It looks like she is going to a funeral at the zoo.

2. In Chapter IX, "Dinner at Arnie's," what does Scott reveal that he knows?
(a) He knows that she and Kelly have cooked up a secret plan.
(b) He knows that Melissa used to try on their mother's clothing.
(c) He knows about Melissa's magazines.
(d) He knows that Jeff keeps calling Melissa a girl.

3. In Chapter XII, "Melissa Goes to the Zoo," what does Melissa teach Kelly?
(a) How to coordinate an outfit.
(b) How to put on makeup.
(c) How to curtsy.
(d) How to set the exposure on her camera correctly.

4. In Chapter IX, "Dinner at Arnie's," why does Scott object to his teacher's plan to have the class dissect a worm?
(a) It is wrong to dissect animals.
(b) It will be too much work.
(c) It will be gross.
(d) It is scheduled for his birthday.

5. In the beginning of Chapter VII, "Time Drags When You're Miserable," how does Kelly treat Melissa?
(a) Kelly joins Jeff and Rick in bullying Melissa.
(b) Kelly mostly ignores her.
(c) Kelly makes it clear that she is still angry about what Melissa said about her father.
(d) Kelly keeps calling Melissa and trying to pass her notes in class.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Chapter VIII, "Some Jerk," what project is the stage crew working on?

2. In Chapter XII, "Melissa Goes to the Zoo," what is the first thing that Melissa notices about the pink tank top?

3. In Chapter XI, "Invitations," what does Rick say to Jeff?

4. In Chapter X, "Transformations," the narrator describes Templeton as gathering "sesquipedalian" words (156). What are "sesquipedalian" words?

5. On page 112 of Chapter VIII, "Some Jerk," we are told that "The canvas stuck to itself and crackled as the students unfolded it." This is an example of what technique?

Short Essay Questions

1. In the beginning of Chapter IX, "Dinner at Arnie's," how does Scott react to Melissa's explanation of her gender identity?

2. What common saying is Gino alluding to in the title of Chapter VII, "Time Drags When You're Miserable"? What point does this allusion make?

3. In the beginning of Chapter VII, "Time Drags When You're Miserable," what is the purpose of including the details about Jeff and Rick making fun of the kindergartners and Mrs. Fields?

4. Melissa's mom seems to think that identifying as a girl might be a "phase" that Melissa will grow out of. What are some clues that the book gives us that make this seem unlikely?

5. In Chapter XI, "Invitations," Kelly invites Melissa to go to the zoo. What causes Melissa to hesitate at first, and what then causes her to enthusiastically accept the invitation?

6. At the end of Chapter VII, "Some Jerk," what punishment and what advice does Melissa receive from her principal?

7. In the beginning of Chapter IX, "Dinner at Arnie's," Melissa again combs her hair forward. Explain when she does this and why.

8. In Chapter VII, "Some Jerk," Melissa and Kelly have an exchange about transgender rights. Explain what each girl says about this topic.

9. In Chapter XII, "Melissa Goes to the Zoo," what is thematically important about the trip to the bathroom at the zoo?

10. In the beginning of Chapter IX, "Dinner at Arnie's," what is Melissa's mother trying to say when she comes in and talks to Melissa in her bedroom?

(see the answer keys)

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