We Were Here

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

Multiple Choice

1. How does Miguel’s character evolve from the beginning to the end of the novel?

A) Miguel values human connection with Diego less at the end of the novel.

B) Miguel is more concerned with education at the end of the novel.

C) Miguel is less concerned with family ties at the end of the novel.

D) Miguel values communication with others more at the end of the novel.

2. Which of the following best describes the value of the group home for Miguel by the end of his journey?

A) It is a place where Miguel can reconnect with his mom.

B) It is a place where Miguel can heal his wounds.

C) It is a place where Miguel can make friends.

D) It is a place where Miguel can take care of Rondell.

3. Which scenario best represents the novel’s theme of The Acceptance of Mortality?

A) Miguel tells Rondell to kill him when Rondell puts his boot on his neck.

B) Mong speaks of dying in the water on the Golden Gate Bridge.

C) Mong places the tooth around Miguel’s neck before dying.

D) Miguel plays drums for Mong and his father.

4. Which of the following is the original source of conflict between Miguel and Mong?

A) Mong wants to kill himself.

B) Mong watches Miguel threateningly while he sleeps.

C) Miguel calls the therapy group a name.

D) Miguel spits in Mong’s face.

5. Which plot detail best illustrates Miguel’s emotional distance in the novel?

A) He does not make many friends in juvenile hall.

B) He is reluctant to travel with Mong and Rondell.

C) He does not speak to Rondell after Mong’s death.

D) He does not like speaking to the counselor.

6. Which of the following is an example of foreshadowing?

A) Miguel remembers that Diego has a crazy temper.

B) Miguel’s mother tries to reason with the boys about their roughhousing.

C) Mong shows Miguel his lucky brown tooth necklace.

D) Jaden tells Miguel that he has a good GPA.

7. Which of the following is an example of Miguel’s depression upon entering the juvenile facility?

A) He vomits when he speaks to the counselor.

B) He tells Mong he doesn’t care what he does to him.

C) He fondly remembers Diego and his abilities.

D) He writes about how ridiculous the motivational posters are.

8. Which of the following is not a complaint Miguel makes on his arrival at the juvenile home?

A) He thinks the other residents are dumb.

B) He believes the artwork is corny.

C) He thinks Jaden is incompetent.

D) He thinks the other residents are posers.

9. What are Miguel’s motivations for reading in the juvenile center?

A) Escapism and intellectual value

B) Manipulation and freedom

C) Distraction and avoidance

D) Intellectual value and manipulation

10. What is most likely the reason Miguel connects to the main characters in The Color Purple and Their Eyes Were Watching God?

A)  Both main characters are from marginalized backgrounds.

B) Both main characters overcome adversity at the hands of their abusers.

C) Both books involve emotionally wounded main characters.

D) Both books involve complex main characters.

11. How does the relationship between Miguel and Rondell develop over the course of the novel?

A) From hatred to deep friendship

B) From independent to interdependent

C) From dislike to tolerance

D)  From tolerance to hostility

12. Why does Miguel claim that there is no real incentive to be alive after stealing the counselor’s keys?

A) The people around him are too dumb to be understood.

B) He self-isolates and does not want to interact.

C) There are no original actions left to people.

D) It is too easy to outsmart his counselors.

13. What role does the perceived lack of forgiveness play in the novel?

A) It causes Miguel to make rash decisions about his well-being.

B) It creates rifts between Miguel’s mother and grandparents.

C) It makes Miguel hate his mother.

D) It causes Miguel to hate those who would help him.

14. What event causes the escalation of Miguel and Diego’s fights?

A) They grow older and stronger.

B) Miguel is jealous of Diego.

C) Miguel’s mother tries to intervene.

D) Miguel’s father dies.

15. When does Miguel feel he is alive for the first time since his crime?

A) When he falls in love with Flanca

B) When Rondell returns to him after deciding not to travel to Mexico

C) When he reads The Catcher in the Rye

D) When he realizes he is similar to Jaden

Long Answer

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

1. What parallels can be drawn between the books Miguel reads and Miguel’s own journey?

2. Trace the chronology of Miguel and Mong’s relationship. What important events change the dynamics of their relationship?