The Stars Beneath Our Feet

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

Multiple Choice

1. Which statement best describes the purpose of art in the novel?

A) It is the catalyst for change in New York.

B) Its purpose is to deliver people from harm who would otherwise join crews.

C) It serves as an outlet and opportunity to overcome difficulties.

D) It is a way to communicate with a variety of people.

2. Which scenario is an example of the novel’s theme The Relationship between Violence and Masculinity?

A) Lolly must work hard to avoid gang activity and violence because he is male.

B) The manager of the toy shop blames Lolly because he is a boy.

C) The gangs on the streets of Harlem only recruit men.

D) Rose doesn’t trust Lolly because of his masculine attributes.

3. What is Lolly’s coping mechanism for dealing with Jermaine’s death at the beginning of the novel?

A) Confrontation and depression

B) Denial and repression

C) Preparation and acceptance

D) Calm and control

4. What is Lolly’s character like before he begins to cope with his brother’s death?

A) He begins to open up to other people about his grief.

B)  He allows himself to mourn him.

C) He is despondent and ignores the feelings of others.

D) He becomes increasingly angry and unkind.

5. Who contributes the most to Lolly’s character growth in the novel?

A) Mr. Ali

B) Vega

C) Rose

D) Yvonne

6. Why does Lolly feel Rose deserves poor treatment?

A) Lolly feels hurt by his loss and wants someone else to feel as bad.

B) Lolly thinks Rose is mean to other people.

C) Rose does not show Lolly the respect he deserves.

D) Rose often encroaches on Lolly’s space.

7. When does Jermaine and Lolly’s relationship change in the novel?

A) When Lolly learns that Jermaine is earning money

B) After Jermaine gives him a Lego set for Christmas

C) When Jermaine begins working with Rockit

D) When Jermaine is old enough to have his own room

8. How does Lolly’s character exhibit growth in the novel?

A) He changes his name to Wallace and becomes more masculine.

B) He decides that he will pursue a path of good choices.

C) He understands that building with Lego is a childish pursuit.

D) He learns to cope with the separation of his parents.

9. How do the characters in the novel react to the violence that closed the community center?

A) They are angered by it.

B) They decide to act against it.

C) They are desensitized to it.

D) They decide to help.

10. Based on events in the novel, what might the reader conclude is important to Daddy Rachpaul?

A) Intelligence

B) Physical strength

C) Perseverance

D) Creativity

11. What helps Lolly feel close to his brother?

A) Building with Lego

B) The after-school program

C) His father

D) Memories of him

12. What is the symbolic meaning of the rock in Lolly’s chest?

A) It describes his surroundings.

B) It represents grief and anger.

C) It is indicative of his relationships.

D) It symbolizes the repercussions of his decisions.

13. In what way do Lolly’s views on Lego building change?

A) It becomes a way for him to process rejection.

B) It is a motivating factor in determining his decision to help Yvonne.

C) It creates a way for him to become more masculine like his father.

D) It shifts from an isolating activity to a connection with others.

14. What is the significance of the coyote in the novel?

A) Lolly draws parallels between the coyote’s desire to be safe and free and his own.

B) Lolly compares it to the people of Harlem, who are often harassed by gangs.

C) Lolly believes it is how Rose feels because she doesn’t fit in.

D) Lolly thinks it is a sign that urbanized areas have taken too much from nature.

15. How do you think Lolly and Vega would define masculinity?

A) As using creativity to escape the world around them

B) As participating in gang activity with crews

C) As learning to cope with grief

D) As doing the right thing even when it’s hard

Long Answer

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

1. What kind of advice would Lolly give to someone about their friends?

2. What is the symbolic meaning of Vega’s Glock in the novel?