The Unteachables

Multiple Choice and Long Answer questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, unit exam, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. What do Parker, Kiana, and Mr. Kermit have in common at the beginning of the novel?

A) The hope that the school year will be fruitful

B) Their desire to be anywhere but at school

C) All three wish they had been assigned to a different classroom.

D) Their intention is to connect and bond with one another.

2. What is the significance of the novel’s title The Unteachables?

A) It is representative of the fact that the students are unable to be taught by anyone.

B) It is a label given to Room 117 students by the other students in the school.

C) It is a way to distinguish the students in Mr. Kermit’s class from the rest of the school.

D) It is a label given to Room 117 because the students are difficult to teach.

3. How does the novel use irony to drive the plot?

A) Mr. Kermit develops a new outlook on school and life.

B) Ms. Fountain becomes romantically involved with James.

C) Mr. Kermit and the kids improve based on their undesirableness.

D) Parker’s grandmother says his name for the first time when he is attacked.

4. What ultimately causes the kids in Room 117 to misbehave?

A) Because they are labeled as bad, they live up to their reputation.

B) They are often victims of circumstances beyond their control.

C) The students misbehave because of their support for Mr. Kermit.

D) They do not have the tools to behave appropriately in school.

5. Which of the following is an example of the novel’s use of humor?

A) The author portrays the adults in the novel as clueless and incompetent.

B) The author uses situational humor to describe comedic scenarios in the school setting.

C) The author overexaggerates the physical characteristics of students in a humorous way.

D) The novel uses humor to degrade and humiliate the characters in the school.

6. How does Mr. Kermit’s reference to the number of days in school provide insight to the reader?

A) It underscores Mr. Kermit’s drive to do as much as possible on a time crunch.

B) It helps the reader to recognize Mr. Kermit’s desire to leave school soon.

C) It points to Mr. Kermit’s intention to sign up to teach in Room 117 next year.

D) It emphasizes Mr. Kermit’s hope to spend as much time with the students as possible.

7. What does the trip to Terranova Motors reveal about the Unteachables?

A) It illustrates the students’ inability to behave anywhere.

B) It highlights the students’ willingness to help Mr. Kermit.

C) It portrays the students’ ability to get along with people outside of the school.

D) It demonstrates student skills that are not identified in the regular classroom.

8. What does Ms. Fountain represent to Mr. Kermit in the novel?

A) The life Mr. Kermit could have had.

B) The mistakes Mr. Kermit has made.

C) The hope that retirement will be better.

D)  The loss of his desire to teach.

9. What best explains why the Unteachables are underestimated by the school staff?

A) The staff believes the students are unable to behave long enough to learn.

B) The students do not possess intelligences typically measured in the classroom.

C) The staff base their understanding of the students on Mr. Kermit’s description.

D) The reputation of the students impacts the staff’s perception, though it is unfounded.

10. What does Barnstorm’s treatment at the school indicate about the school’s priorities?

A) Barnstorm is no longer popular so the other students pay no attention to him.

B) The school prioritizes student behavior over student effort.

C) The school bases its treatment on how well students perform in class.

D) The school is willing to let behavior slide if he participates in sports.

11. What does school represent to Parker before Mr. Kermit helps with his dyslexia?

A. The thing Parker dislikes about himself

B) A place that pulls Parker away from his responsibilities to his grandma

C) The battle he faces every day with social engagement

D) A place that is boring and has no meaning

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. How does Mateo’s references to pop culture inspire him and the students around him?

2. Why do you think the author included the idea of bucket-fillers in his novel? How is the novel’s plot driven by the idea of bucket-fillers?