The Magic Marker Mystery Comprehension Check

Which of the following choices best explains Mickey’s initial (first) reaction to being called into Principal Abrego’s office in Act One?

•  He is upset about bullying.

• He is excited to work with the principal.

• He is happy to accept an award.

• He thinks he is in trouble.

Who is the detenctive in this story?

• Belinda

• Mickey

• Joe

• Buchoi

What is most closely the suggested meaning of “think of me as a benefactor” as it is used in the following passage (paragraphs 35-36)?

MICKEY: You can count on me. Mickey Rangel is on the case.

PRINCIPAL ABREGO: Good. Whatever you need, please don’t hesitate to ask. In fact, think
of me as your benefactor.

• The investigation is a secret

• The investigation is a secret

• Mickey is being accused of the crime.

• Principal Abrego is also under investigation.

Question

The following passage (paragraphs 57-58) mainly suggests that .

MICKEY: Also circumstantial. I mean, if a “B” is all we’ve got, who’s to say it doesn’t stand for “Belinda”? (BELINDA looks as though she’s been accused.) Don’t get me wrong—I’m not saying it’s you, I’m saying a “B” is not enough to prove a guy’s guilt.

BELINDA: Are you saying you’re not willing to stand with me—(looks at JOHNNY) with us—and instead you’re going to side with Bucho?

• Johnny always takes Belinda’s side when there is a fight between his two friends

• anyone is a possible suspect in the graffiti case

• Belinda wrote the message that Mickey is investigating

• Bucho is not the only bully at their school

Question

Why did the students assume Bucho was the culprit (offender, person responsible) for the graffiti?

• He is a bully.

• He is a talented artist.

• He hates the principal.

• He has done this before at his old school

Question

How mainly does the following description from Act Three add to the development of the play (paragraph 93)?

(the two leave, though MRS. ABREGO does put an arm around JOE’s shoulders indicating she will want to “work with” him in the same way she’s been working with BUCHO)

• It shows Mrs. Abrego knew all along that Joe was the bully.

• It shows Mrs. Abrego is a compassionate principal, even when she has to discipline her students.

• It shows Mrs. Abrego doesn’t care about her students.

• It shows Mrs. Abrego favors Bucho over other students.

Which of the following inferences is best supported by the text?

• Principal Abrego is a fan of graffiti.

• • Mickey is a good detective and ELA student.

• Bucho blamed Belinda for the graffiti.

• Bucho and Mickey are actually close.

Which statement from the text most strongly supports your answer to Question 7?

• “‘Mickey, Bucho was so adamant that he wasn’t the culprit that he recommended I bring you in on the case.’”

• “‘In the last few months he’s made some great strides, and so when I got this e-mail and put it together with the so-called signature, it was easy to jump to conclusions.’”

•  “‘No, I don’t think for a second you have anything to do with this.’”

•  “‘Yes, and ‘nobody’ is spelled as though it were plural, ending in ‘-dies,’ though it should not be a plural.’”

   “‘Yes, and ‘nobody’ is spelled as though it were plural, ending in ‘-dies,’ though it should not be a plural.’”

Which conclusion is best supported by the ending of the play?

• The person who wrote the graffiti has mixed up the spelling.

• Principal Abrego wants to hire a new ELA teacher.

• Joe is the biggest bullies at the school.

• Bucho is going to be mad at Johnny.

Which statement from the text most strongly supports the answer to Question 9?

• “‘P-R-I-N-C-I-P-L-E, ‘principle,’ as in ‘The last thing I want is to be sent to the principle’s office.’”

• “‘Mickey’s trying to help, so help yourself by minding your temper.’”

•  “‘Only two weeks ago in English we were studying homophones.’”

• “‘You must’ve been looking at the insides of your eyelids when Miss Garza was going over that one.’”