To Kill a Mockingbird — Multiple Choice

Analyze the structural purpose of the opening paragraph. How does the mention of Jem’s broken arm function as a literary device?

• It serves as a flashback to establish the narrator’s unreliability.

• It acts as a "frame" for the story, signaling that the novel will explain the events leading to this injury.

• It foreshadows a peaceful resolution to the conflict with the Radleys.

• It establishes the central conflict of the trial of Tom Robinson.

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CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.5.7

CCSS.RL.6.9

Based on the descriptions in Chapter 1, what can the reader infer about the economic state and social atmosphere of Maycomb?

• It is a thriving city benefiting from the industrial revolution.

• It is a stagnant town paralyzed by the Great Depression and bound by traditional routines.

• It is a progressive community looking to change its old-fashioned ways.

• It is a lawless frontier town with little social hierarchy.

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CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

Contrast the children’s initial perception of the Radley Place with the reality of the "gifts" found in the tree. What does this contrast suggest about the theme of appearance vs. reality?

• The children’s fear is justified by the dangerous nature of the items found.

• The gifts suggest that Boo Radley is attempting to reach out, contradicting the "monster" persona created by the town.

• The Radley house is a symbol of Maycomb's wealth and prosperity.

• The items in the tree are meant to lure the children into a trap set by Nathan Radley.

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CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

Compare and contrast Calpurnia’s role in the Finch house to her role in the wider Maycomb community. What does her "double life" reveal about social boundaries?

• She is treated as an equal member of the Finch family in all settings.

• She must navigate two different worlds, adapting her language and behavior to fit the racial expectations of each.

• She is purely a servant and has no influence over the children’s moral development.

• She is a secret leader of the Ewell family.

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CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.9

What does Atticus’s refusal to allow Scout to "fight" her way through problems at school reveal about his philosophy on conflict resolution?

• He believes in physical dominance but only as a last resort.

• He values intellectual and moral fortitude over physical aggression.

• He is afraid of the school board and doesn't want to cause trouble.

• He believes the teacher is always right, regardless of the situation.

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CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

How does the author use the "skin" metaphor (climbing into someone else's skin) to develop the theme of empathy?

• It suggests that Scout should literally change her appearance to fit in.

• It serves as a recurring moral framework that Atticus uses to guide Scout’s interactions with others.

• It is a warning to Scout to stay away from the Cunninghams.

• It represents the literal disguises the children wear when playing the "Radley game."

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CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Analyze the conflict between Miss Caroline’s teaching methods and the reality of Maycomb’s students. What is the author critiquing?

• The lack of funding for public schools in the South.

• The failure of "one-size-fits-all" systems to account for local culture and individual backgrounds.

• The children’s lack of interest in higher education.

• The importance of the Dewey Decimal System in modern libraries.

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CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

How does the interaction between Atticus and Walter Cunningham Sr. (regarding the stovewood and hickory nuts) illustrate the social hierarchy of Maycomb?

• It shows that the Cunninghams are beggars who rely on the state.

• It demonstrates a mutual respect based on dignity and the repayment of debts, despite economic differences.

• It highlights the vast wealth gap that makes friendship between the families impossible.

• It proves that the Finches look down on those who work with their hands.

What is the symbolic significance of the items left in the knothole (gum, pennies, soap carvings, watch)?

• They are random pieces of trash meant to scare the children.

• They represent Boo Radley’s attempt to communicate and offer friendship in a silent, protected way.

• They are clues to a crime committed by the Radley family.

• They represent the children’s lost childhood and innocence.

Evaluate Jem’s decision to return for his pants at the Radley fence. What does this choice reveal about his maturing relationship with Atticus?

• He is terrified of Atticus’s physical punishment.

• He values Atticus’s trust and his own reputation for honesty more than his physical safety.

• He wants to prove to Dill that he is more courageous than Scout.

• He is trying to reclaim a valuable family heirloom.

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CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.5.3