The Benefits of Being an Octopus

Reading Check and Short Answer Questions on key plot points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

Chapters 1-4

Reading Check

1. Where does Zoey’s mom work?

2. Where do Zoey’s younger siblings attend school?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What does Zoey mean when she says Matt lives on a tropical island while she swims in the water?

2. What are some indications that Zoey may have a dysfunctional home life?

Chapters 5-8

Reading Check

1. Why is Ms. Rochambeau upset with Zoey when she arrives at class for the animal debate?

2. Where does Zoey put her debate packet rather than presenting it to the class?

3. Who does Ms. Rochambeau say Zoey reminds her of?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What does Matt’s argument about the orca being the best animal say about Matt?

2. Why do Zoey’s siblings become erratic when she is late to pick them up for school? What does this reveal about the children?

Paired Resource

Academic Achievement and Socioeconomic Background

• This article describes the educational discrepancies between higher and lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
• What are the academic differences between families in various socioeconomic groups? What are the differences between the career aspirations of low socioeconomic groups and those in other economic groupings? Why do you think Zoey has difficulty in school? What effect might Zoey’s background have on her aspirations? How is this article related to the novel’s theme of The Effects of Class on Self-Esteem?

Chapters 9-12

Reading Check

1. Whose father had his truck taken to the police because there was a shotgun in it?

2. Where is Fuchsia moving?

3. What does Zoey’s mother hope to buy after she saves enough money?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why does Zoey seem dirty and smelly to her classmates? What does this reveal about the difficulties of living in a lower socioeconomic class?

2. Why do you think Zoey feels peaceful the Sunday Lenny is gone?

Paired Resource

“Why Is It So Hard to Escape Poverty?”

• This 5-minute video describes the difficulty of escaping poverty.
• Why is it difficult to escape poverty? Why do some people with jobs have more difficulty than those without jobs? What are some of the proposed solutions for welfare systems? How is this article related to the novel’s themes of The Effects of Class on Self-Esteem and Fair Versus Unfair Debate Tactics?

Chapters 13-16

Reading Check

1. What does Zoey draw as a chakana tattoo?

2. Who watches Hector while Zoey is at the debate club?

3. Who is suspected of being involved in the lockdown at Zoey’s school?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What does Zoey realize about Lenny’s treatment of her mother? Why do you think her opinion of her mother’s incompetence changed?

2. How do Lydia and Matt’s perspectives on gun ownership conflict with Ms. Rochambeau’s lesson on how to conduct a debate?

Paired Resource

Debate and Negotiation

• This 5-minute video describes the problem with debates, how to resolve conflict, and how to debate effectively.
• How is the “tribal trap” in the video related to the conflict Zoey faces with Matt and Lydia? What are some barriers to overcome while resolving conflict? How do Zoey, Matt, and Lydia have their identities associated with the debate conflicts? What impact does that have on them? What skill is powerful in addressing conflict? How is this video related to the novel’s themes of The Effects of Class on Self-Esteem, Fair Versus Unfair Debate Tactics, and Gun Ownership and Gun Violence in America?

Chapters 17-20

Reading Check

1. What word is Bryce called at school that emotionally impacts him?

2. What does Zoey find in Lenny’s drawer that she collects as evidence against Lenny?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why is Zoey concerned about Bryce’s behavior toward his other siblings?

2. Why does Fuchsia feel she cannot call for help after she experiences abuse at the hands of her mother’s boyfriend?

Paired Resource

Emotional Abuse

• This 5-minute video describes what emotional abuse is, the signs of emotional abuse, and the various relationships in which emotional abuse can occur. (Content Warning: emotional abuse)
• What is emotional abuse? Why is it as damaging as physical abuse? Why are external relationships important when someone is in an emotionally abusive relationship? How do Connor and Ms. Rochambeau fill that role? How is this video related to the novel’s theme of Fair Versus Unfair Debate Tactics?

Chapters 21-24

Reading Check

1. What do people do to Silas’s phone after he has been accused of putting the school in lockdown?

2. Who does Zoey find crying in the bathroom?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why is Zoey resentful of the students complaining about missing the deadline for ordering carnations?

2. What is Zoey’s solution to her mother’s housing problems?

Chapters 25-28

Reading Check

1. How does Kara get a car to take her belongings from Lenny’s house?

2. What does Crystal file against Michael?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why is life still difficult for Zoey after she moves in with Fuchsia and her mother?

2. What does Zoey vow to tell now that she has found her voice?

Recommended Next Reads 

Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams

• This novel is about a girl’s journey to self-acceptance despite suffering from low self-esteem and abusive family members.
• Shared topics include childhood trauma, dysfunctional families, and changing perspectives.
• Shared themes include The Effects of Class on Self Esteem and Fair Versus Unfair Debate Tactics.
• Genesis Begins Again on SuperSummary

Front Desk by Kelly Yang

• This novel is about a 10-year-old Chinese immigrant and her family’s struggles in America.
• Shared topics include poverty, homelessness, and social injustice.
• Shared themes include The Effects of Class on Self Esteem.
• Front Desk on SuperSummary