Orphan Train

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

Multiple Choice

1. Which of the following literary strategies does this quotation include?

“When she finally stopped, I was only relieved, not understanding that Maisie was like a canary in a mine, warning us of danger, but it was too late.” (Part 1)

A) Imagery

B) Hyperbole

C) Alliteration

D) Simile

2. Why does Molly steal a copy of Jane Eyre?

A) She has to have the novel for school and does not want to buy it.

B) She likes reading and sees multiple copies in the library.

C) She wants to give the book to her foster mom as a gift.

D) She steals the novel because Jack dares her one day.

3. How are Niamh and the other children treated on the orphan train?

A) The children are treated like royalty, given luxurious rooms and anything they want.

B) The children are treated as one big family, with joy as a focus.

C) The children are treated intensely and take math and reading lessons the whole train ride.

D) The children are treated coldly, given the bare minimum, and threatened.

4. What details build the idea that school is important to Vivian?

A) She gets up early to get ready and is willing to walk long distances to get there.

B) She stays after school to take retests, to read ahead, and to tutor others.

C) She insists on going to school even when sick with pneumonia.

D) She leads a fundraising effort for the school, missing work to do so.

5. Which of the following best describes the relationship between Vivian and Dutchy as adults?

A) Vivian and Dutchy keep in touch through letters, maintaining a distant friendship.

B) Vivian and Dutchy argue frequently but maintain a relationship because of their past.

C) Vivian and Dutchy meet just once as adults, at an orphan train reunion.

D) Vivian and Dutchy fall in love, which works despite their differences.

6. How does Molly react when Vivian shares that she had a child and gave her up for adoption?

A) Molly says that she understands and gives Vivian a hug.

B) Molly storms out of the room crying and will not return.

C) Molly suggests Vivian find her birth child but does not push.

D) Molly quietly nods and then reveals her own secret.

7. Which of the following best describes Jack?

A) Jack is Dutchy’s best friend growing up and helps Vivian maintain her home now.

B) Jack is Vivian’s neighbor, visits frequently, and finds her birth daughter.

C) Jack is Molly’s friend, who helps her avoid detention and encourages her to be herself.

D) Jack is Niamh’s friend in Ireland and then only contacts her through letters.

8. How does Molly feel after moving into Vivian’s home?

A) Molly finally feels safe.

B) Molly mostly feels melancholy.

C) Molly feels more unsure than before.

D) Molly starts to feel vindictive.

9. Which of the following traumas did both Molly and Vivian experience?

A) Going to war

B) Starvation

C) Death of family members

D) A fire

10. What do both Molly and Vivian have that symbolizes family to them?

A) Their names

B) Necklaces

C) Luggage

D) A photograph

11. How do Vivian and Molly face Portaging differently?

A) Molly would rather stay in a foster home she hates than leave her belongings, while Vivian tries to escape every foster home she is sent to.

B) Molly has a ritual she performs before and after moving, but Vivian leaves and refuses to think again about her past homes.

C) Molly tries to immediately get close to those in her new home, but Vivian keeps everyone at a distance, lashing out frequently.

D) Molly has very few belongings she cares about, while Vivian has a difficult time parting with any belongings from her past.

12. Which of the following messages does the novel send about family?

A) The foster system is broken, and finding a family that supports you is life-saving.

B) Family life and how the family runs do not affect a child in the long term.

C) In times of crisis, most families fall apart, but social systems are there to help.

D) The orphan train helped create stronger families, particularly in Georgia and Florida.

13. In which of the following ways are Molly and Vivian most similar?

A) They both traveled from Ireland to the United States.

B) They both have strong connections to stories and the past.

C) They both learned to sew at a young age and make a living sewing.

D) They both got life-changing support from a teacher.

14. How do Vivian, Molly, Jack, and Terry prepare for the visit from Vivian’s birth daughter?

A) They rent a separate home for them to help respect their need for space.

B) They plan to meet them at a seafood restaurant and invite Dina and Ralph.

C) They open up rooms, clean and organize, and prepare special food.

D) They contact Dutchy and Carmine and organize an extravagant party.

15. Which of the following is the correct chronological order of events?

A) Niamh moves from Ireland. Niamh travels on the orphan train. Vivian gives birth. Molly meets Vivian.

B) Niamh travels on the orphan train. Vivian gives birth. Molly meets Vivian. Niamh moves from Ireland.

C) Vivian gives birth. Molly meets Vivian. Niamh moves from Ireland. Niamh travels on the orphan train.

D) Molly meets Vivian. Niamh moves from Ireland. Niamh travels on the orphan train. Vivian gives birth.

Long Answer

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

1. Why is Molly so affected when Vivian gives her a book?

2. How does time affect the novel?