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

Multiple Choice

1. What is Gabriel’s viewpoint on the politicians, based on his statement that “seventy million would have changed the city, but no schools or hospitals were built”?

A) He believes the city could be reformed with more money, but there is not enough.

B) He thinks corrupt politicians should have used money to help the people of Behala.

C) He believes there was an appropriate distribution of funds for the city.

D) He is angry with José for stealing the money from the senator.

2. Based on Olivia’s character, which of the following best describes her perspective on charity work?

A) She does not think it is as important as exposing government corruption.

B) She thinks charity work is important but not at the risk of her own life.

C) She loves to serve people and is inspired by those who live their best life despite their circumstances.

D) She wishes the people of Behala would rise up and fight for their rights and the rights of their children.

3. The children in Behala do not attend school much after the age of 10. What is likely the perspective of those who live in Behala?

A) The children of Behala do not think education is important.

B) The children of Behala would rather dig at the dumpsite than go to school.

C) The children of Behala need to work to survive, so school is a luxury.

D) The children of Behala would have to beg on the streets if they continued to attend school.

4. How is the police force described over the course of the novel?

A) They protect and serve the people of Behala.

B) They protect and serve the interests of government officials.

C) They do not serve either the people of Behala or government officials.

D) They are sympathetic to the plight of the dumpsite people.

5. What are the motivating factors for all the characters in the book who are from Behala?

A) Justice and money

B) Prestige and justice

C) Honor and hope

D) Food and trash

6. Which of the following most likely represents what José Angelico means to the main characters in the novel?

A) Mystery and intrigue

B) Strength and martyrdom

C) Sadness and corruption

D) Fatherhood and hope

7. What does the Bible symbolize in Trash?

A) Direction

B) Discovery

C) Peace

D) Endurance

8. Which of the following makes the boys invisible to the people on the other side of the wall?

A) Their lack of education

B) Their disguises

C) Their demeanor

D) Their poverty

9. Why is the placement of the money at the end of the novel a form of justice for the boys?

A) They know Zapanta will be arrested.

B) Stealing from Zapanta sets the record straight for all who have suffered.

C) The money belonged to the poor people of Behala all along.

D) Gabriel wanted the dumpsite people to have the money.

10. Which of the following details conveys the novel’s theme of Poverty?

A) The grave boxes are stacked on top of one another.

B) Gardo receives new clothing to enter the prison.

C) Gardo tricks Olivia and she must leave the country.

D) Raphael lives with his aunt.

11. Why does Rat rename himself Jun-Jun at the end of the novel?

A) He no longer works at the dumpsite.

B) His friends say he no longer needs to be called Rat.

C) He no longer lives with rats.

D) He no longer plans to steal or lie.

12. Why is Rat essential for the success of the boys’ mission?

A) He is good at sneaking about and getting away.

B) His character is invaluable to their friendship.

C) He keeps the group together when they argue.

D) He is eager to help the boys.

13. Which of the boys is considered the leader of their group?

A) Jun-Jun

B) Gabriel

C) Gardo

D) Raphael

14. Father Julliard and Olivia are surprised that the mission boys often lie. What is most likely the reason this surprises them?

A) Both have lived in societies where honesty is highly valued.

B) Both have lived on the other side of the wall and do not know what it means to be poor.

C) Both have lived sheltered lives in Behala and have had few opportunities to interact with the dumpsite children.

D) Both have lived in societies where money is plentiful and survival is not dependent on lying.

15. The boys never considered keeping all the money for themselves after they found it. What does that say about their characters?

A) They understand the importance of fair distribution of money.

B) They do not want their families to starve without them.

C) They do not want Father Julliard to take on the burden of caring for everyone.

D) They believe the dumpsite people deserve the bulk of the funds.

Long Answer

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

1. Trash is told from multiple perspectives. Would the novel have worked as well with a single narrator? Explain your thinking.

2.  Describe Olivia’s perspective on the people of Behala. Why do you think she feels this way?