A List of Cages

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

Multiple Choice

1. Which of the following best explains what Julian’s “list of cages” represents?

A) Fears that prevent him from achieving his dreams and wants

B) Fears that prevent him from making friends and doing fun things

C) Fears that prevent him from living in the here and now

D) Fears that prevent him from considering his abuse objectively

2. How is Julian’s attitude toward Russell different at the beginning of the book compared to the end of the book?

A) Julian feels hatred for Russell, then pity.

B) Julian feels pity toward Russell, then realizes Russell was wrong.

C) Julian feels fear toward Russell, then acceptance.

D) Julian feels proud of Russell, then realizes Russell was abusive.

3. What description best explains how Adam feels about Emerald after Julian is hurt?

A) He blames himself for failing to call for help and distances himself from Emerald.

B) He blames Emerald because she told him not to call the police.

C) He blames Emerald for caring so little for Julian and more for her hair.

D) He blames Julian and Emerald because they both did not want him to call the police.

4. Which of the following best describes what stars mean to Julian?

A) Stars symbolize Julian thinking about things positively.

B) Stars symbolize Julian’s future.

C) Stars symbolize hope and happiness.

D) Stars symbolize his relationship with his parents.

5. Which of the following best describes Emerald’s relationship with her mother and her feelings about it?

A) She likes that her mother lets her do whatever she wants; this freedom makes her happy.

B) She feels that her mother spends too much time with her boyfriend; this makes her angry.

C) She feels that her mother thinks about her very little; this makes her resentful.

D) She dislikes that her mother neglects her; this neglect makes her lonely.

6. What is the significance of Julian’s hiding place in the attic?

A) It illustrates that Julian wants to be alone.

B) It illustrates that Julian feels more comfortable being alone.

C) It illustrates Julian’s desire to have friends.

D) It illustrates how shy Julian is.

7. Which of the following is least likely to explain why the question Adam asks Julian every day is important to him?

A) Julian must think about himself for once.

B) It signifies to Julian that Adam cares about him.

C) Adam is likely the only one who asks Julian this question.

D) Adam is a mentor to Julian.

8. Which of the following best describes how Julian changes because he has friends?

A) Julian dresses better, does better in school, and eats lunch with his friends.

B) Julian dresses better, is abused less, and leaves his house more often.

C) Julian dresses better, is more confident, and stands up for himself.

D) Julian dresses better, thinks highly of his friends, and can see more stars.

9. What is the best description of what the green notebook symbolizes?

A) The green notebook symbolizes Julian’s search for meaning in his parents’ death.

B) The green notebook symbolizes Julian’s love for his parents.

C) The green notebook symbolizes Julian’s desire to be with his parents.

D) The green notebook symbolizes Julian’s regrets about the past.

10. Which of the following best describes Julian’s fantasy about Elian Mariner?

A) Elian Mariner is a hero Julian can depend on to rescue him.

B) Elian Mariner is a hero who helps Julian when he is helpless.

C) Elian Mariner is a tool used by Julian to escape stressful thoughts.

D) Elian Mariner is a character used by Julian to escape abuse.

11. What can we infer about what Adam will be like and how he will behave going forward in life?

A) He will go back to his old positive self.

B) He will be slightly more disillusioned than before.

C) He will be forever changed by what happened to Julian.

D) He is fragile.

12. What is most likely the cause of Russell’s increasingly abusive behavior toward Julian?

A) Russel doesn’t like that Julian has friends.

B) Russell realizes Julian isn’t following the rules at home.

C) Russell believes he is going to get caught abusing Julian.

D) Russell feels as though he is losing control of Julian.

13. What is likely one reason Charlie does not like Julian at the beginning of the novel?

A) Charlie is jealous of Julian’s friendship with Adam.

B) Charlie is jealous of Julian’s seemingly perfect life without siblings.

C) Charlie is jealous of Julian’s popularity with girls.

D) Charlie is jealous of Julian’s clothing.

14. Which of the following is an example of False Appearances and Deceit in A List of Cages?

A) Emerald does her hair when she visits Julian in the hospital.

B) Emerald has a boyfriend named Brett.

C) Russell pulls Julian from school.

D) Julian hides in the attic to eat lunch.

15. Russell claims that Julian is a burden to him when in fact what is true?

A) He enjoys hanging out with Julian.

B) He relies on Julian for housecleaning and other chores.

C) He is living off the life insurance policy of Julian’s parents.

D) He steals Julian’s allowance to cover household expenses.

Long Answer

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

1. Charlie Taylor is consistently portrayed as a very angry person. What are some of the reasons Charlie is angry? Cite passages from the book that support your response.

2. On Julian’s list of fears, he writes he’s afraid of wanting and dreaming. What are some of the things Julian wants and dreams about? Why is he afraid of these things?