Big Mouth & Ugly Girl

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

1. How do Ursula’s feelings toward people compare to Matt’s?

A) Ursula does not like people and Matt does.

B) Ursula feels people are unnecessary and Matt wants everyone’s attention.

C) Matt and Ursula both feel they should reject people before they get rejected.

D)  Matt and Ursula both want the attention of people but don’t know how to get it.

2. How does Ursula change from the beginning of the novel to the end?

A) She is very angry but becomes less so.

B) She does not have any friends but has more at the end.

C) She uses a mask but decides to take it off.

D) She dislikes basketball but comes to love it.

3. Which is the best example of the theme The Ubiquity of Social Performance?

A) Ursula wears punk clothing to show her personality.

B) Mr. Parish reports Matt even though he believes he is innocent.

C) The police make a show of looking for Pumpkin.

D) Matt acts out for others because he cares what they think.

4. Which of the following is an example of the effect of gossip?

A) Rumors create a relationship between Matt and Ursula.

B) Matt is isolated from friends because of their parents.

C) Unkind talk causes Pumpkin to be stolen.

D) Comments by other girls make Ursula insecure.

5. What are Ursula’s feelings about gossip and rumors?

A) She doesn’t listen to it.

B) She cares about what people think.

C) She tries to please those around her.

D) She acts out in rebellion against those who gossip.

6. How are Matt’s and Ursula’s personas similar?

A) They create a tough exterior.

B) Both personas appear impenetrable.

C) Neither has the desired effect of protection.

D) They are used to hide who they really are.

7. Which of the following causes most of the trouble Matt experiences in the novel?

A) Rumors and gossip

B) His own actions

C) His reputation

D) Others’ perception of him

8. What is one of Ursula’s most admirable qualities as compared to her peers?

A) She is willing to tell the truth even at the risk of herself.

B) She is willing to fight people if necessary.

C) She isn’t afraid to be different.

D) She flouts authority if she deems it necessary.

9. Which of the following is an example of irony in the novel?

A) Matt is loud to put on a front.

B) Ursula defends Matt but should defend herself.

C) The authorities will not save Pumpkin.

D) Ursula uses a strong persona to mask her shyness.

10. What is a sign of Matt’s depression in the novel?

A) His friends won’t talk to him.

B) He is eating less.

C) His grades begin to slip.

D) He doesn’t talk to Ursula.

11. Which of the following does not reflect an insecurity of Ursula’s?

A) She is a vegetarian.

B) She feels bad about her size.

C) She hides her true personality.

D) She loses the game for her team.

12. How does Ursula’s perception of her persona change throughout the novel?

A) She clings to it more tightly than before given her experiences with Matt.

B) She decides it is no longer needed and may even be harmful.

C) She realizes she has used it to shut people out and will no longer do that.

D) She wears it to protect herself but realizes it is not needed as a permanent fixture.

13. What is significant about Ursula’s statement that “the hard part of humanity is history. All that’s been done to human beings by other human beings”?

A) It reflects the history Ursula shared with Matt.

B) She is chastising the twins for bullying Matt.

C) She is still angry about the way Trevor treated Pumpkin.

D) It indicates that she wants to forget history.

14. What is the importance of email in the novel?

A) It represents the thoughts of the characters.

B) It shows how people interacted in 2002.

C) It develops the relationship between Matt and Ursula.

D) It symbolizes bullying and cyberbullying.

15. What conclusions can be drawn from the interactions between adults and teens in the novel?

A) Parents follow the rules too closely.

B) Adults should not have authority over teens.

C) Parents and teens don’t try to understand one another.

D) Adults and teens both make mistakes.

Long Answer

1. Explain the significance of performance in the novel. Which characters perform for their peers? What role does performance play in the characters’ decision-making?

2. What is one message regarding the way people draw conclusions about others that readers can take away from Big Mouth & Ugly Girl?