The Thing About Jellyfish

1. To which of these does Suzy metaphorically compare the jellyfish?

A) a cold pocket in water

B) a clump of seaweed

C) a beating heart

D) an article of wet clothing

2. On which of the following factors does Suzy’s hypothesis about how Franny died rely?

A) Some jellyfish can migrate around the world.

B) Franny could not swim as well as she thought she could.

C) The average number of jellyfish stings worldwide is unknown.

D) Franny had a heart condition that went undiagnosed.

3. In which of the following scenes is Suzy’s loneliness and isolation from her peers at the start of 7th grade most apparent?

A) on her way into the counselor’s office

B) on the aquarium field trip, near the jellyfish

C) on the afternoon she cannot go to the movies

D) on the first day of swim lessons 

4. Which of these is the most important outcome of Suzy’s first counselor visit?

A) She is inspired to find a “jellyologist.”

B) She speaks for the first time in weeks.

C) She realizes how well her divorced parents get along.

D) She hears the counselor guess her hypothesis.

5. Where is Suzy when she decides to begin “not-talking”?

A) her school

B) her mother’s car

C) a restaurant

D) the counselor’s office

6. As they ride the school bus to fifth grade, which of these accurately shows the widening gap between Suzy and Franny?

A) Franny tries to study but Suzy wants to pretend they are rock stars.

B) Suzy tries to tell Franny about Jamie Seymour but Franny doesn’t understand.

C) Franny tries to ask about Suzy’s homework, but Suzy won’t tell her.

D) Suzy tries to share news about her parents, but Franny asks about boys.

7. Why doesn’t Suzy get to speak with Jamie Seymour when she calls his place of work?

A) Suzy can’t bring herself to speak, and the woman who answers hangs up.

B) Jamie is in an appointment, but the woman who answers relays the message.

C) The woman who answers tells Suzy she should not be calling without an adult.

D) Suzy’s mother overhears Suzy as she places the call and makes her end the call.

8. Which of these best summarizes the lunchtime conflict in sixth grade?

A) Suzy refuses to sit with new friends until eventually Franny returns to sit with her.

B) Franny convinces Suzy to join her with her new friends but allows the friends to tease Suzy.

C) Franny wants to sit with new friends and invites Suzy, but Suzy embarrasses Franny.

D) Suzy willingly sits with Franny and her new friends but is “not-talking” at lunch.

9. Which student kills a frog at the sixth grade campout?

A) Justin Maloney

B) Dylan Parker

C) Sarah Johnston

D) Aubrey LaValley

10. When she stands to deliver her science presentation, whom does Suzy think about for inspiration?

A) Franny

B) Jamie Seymour

C) Justin Maloney

D) Diana Nyad

11. In the flashback that describes how Suzy sends Franny a clear and big sign, which of these best describes how Suzy feels as she carries out her plan at school?

A) She feels vengeful and is eager to see how Franny reacts.

B) She feels the weight of guilt and almost drops her plan several times.

C) She feels a sense of peace and sureness that she is doing the right thing.

D) She feels pain in her stomach and pressure to look Franny in the eyes.

12. What factor does Suzy blame most for Bridget Brown’s failure to get to Dollywood?

A) incomplete plans

B) clever authorities

C) airline regulations

D) stolen money

13. When Suzy asks her counselor about how to say goodbye, the counselor does not know the truth. What is Suzy actually thinking about?

A) leaving her parents behind

B) making peace with Franny

C) changing schools to start over

D) watching her brother leave for college

14. Which of these behaviors is the best proof of Suzy’s negative emotions the morning she intends to take the shuttle?

A) leaving a note in which she denies taking her father’s credit card

B) telling Justin she bets he will dress as a villain for the dance

C) letting herself in to Aaron’s apartment and stealing cash

D) snapping at her mother and saying the opposite of what she wants

15. Before she leaves for the airport, Suzy realizes she must call whom?

A) her father

B) Franny’s mother

C) her counselor

D) Mrs. Turton

16. When Suzy regrets the actions on the last day of 6th grade, she makes a metaphorical connection to a kind of jellyfish that:

A) seems to display immortal qualities

B) makes its sting victim feel a sense of doom

C) glows in the dark water of the deepest ocean

D) blooms in the millions and impacts power plants

17. Of these, what is the difference between Suzy and Bridget Brown that prevents Suzy from boarding?

A) Suzy does not have enough money.

B) Suzy tries to fly internationally.

C) Suzy looks young for her age.

D) Suzy cannot prove that she is over 12.

18. Which of these best describes Suzy’s mother’s initial reaction at the airport?

A) barely contained panic

B) angry and aggravated

C) calm but confused

D) woeful from worry

19. When does Suzy realize it is only logical that she is at home the day after attempting to fly to Australia?

A) when she steps outside and notes the season of the year

B) when she changes her mind about attending the dance

C) when she and her mother and brother watch a soccer game

D) when she hears from the airline about her father’s refund

20. What is Suzy’s costume for the dance?

A) a couch potato

B) a house painter

C) a regular person

D) a soccer player

21. What factors most contribute to Suzy staying at the dance?

A) Her father accepts her apology and allows her to stay.

B) Mrs. Thurston is there as a chaperone and talks her into it.

C) Her mother waits in the parking lot for Suzy to come out.

D) Sarah Johnston arrives and she and Suzy go in with Justin.