Al Capone Does My Shirts

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

Multiple Choice

1. How do the locals on the island treat the prisoners at the beginning of the novel?

A) More than human

B) As heroic and noteworthy

C) Less than human

D) As vile and shameless

2. How is Piper’s character best described?

A) A rude tyrant

B) As kind but entitled

C) As others-centered

D) A misunderstood mean girl

3. What is the significance of the novel’s setting being on an island?

A) It represents the ideal life of the famous.

B) It symbolizes the feeling of being trapped.

C) It represents emotional detachment.

D) It signifies an isolated paradise.

4. What event in the novel best describes how Moose is uniquely attuned to Natalie’s needs?

A) He asks her to recite multiplication facts to Piper.

B) He thought it was a bad idea for his parents to separate her from him.

C) He is the first to discover she has forgotten her favorite blanket.

D) He is aware of her body language and distracts her with indexes.

5. How is Warden William’s character best described?

A) Democratic

B) Dictatorial

C) Diplomatic

D) Strategic

6. Why is Moose often conflicted regarding Natalie?

A) He wants to protect her but is also proud of her.

B) He attempts to control her but is unable to.

C) He feels indifferent to her mannerisms and behavior.

D) He is embarrassed and ashamed of her.

7. How does Moose use Alcatraz to his advantage?

A) He uses his experiences on the island to entertain others.

B) He exploits his knowledge of the convicts to inform others.

C) He fabricates stories about the island to win friends.

D) He provides unique details about the convicts that others want to know.

8. What is Natalie’s greatest strength?

A) Sorting

B) Language Arts

C) Building

D) Mathematics

9. How does Moose’s observation of Mrs. Capone change his perspective on the convicts?

A) He begins to understand that they are real people with families.

B) Moose becomes more fearful of convicts and avoids them.

C) He becomes indifferent toward the convicts and their families.

D) He learns that convicts are unfairly treated by society.

10. What choice best represents Helen’s perspective on Natalie’s autism?

A) She is very positive; she hopes Natalie will be able to “overcome” her autism.

B) She is critical of Natalie’s autism and thinks it should be “solved.”

C) She is “delusional,” often refusing to face the reality of Natalie’s situation.

D) She is afraid of Natalie’s autism and avoids being around her.

Long Answer

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

1. Describe Piper’s character and explain the most probable reason Piper behaves the way she does.

2. Why is Natalie’s care a major source of conflict for Moose’s family?