The Whipping Boy

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

Multiple Choice

1. When he is initially serving as a whipping boy, how does Jemmy feel about his past life on the streets?

A) He misses being carefree.

B) He is ashamed of his lower-class origins and fears it will prevent him from attracting the prince’s favor.

C) He is lonely, and often thinks about his happy life as part of a large family.

D) He is relieved to have access to the luxuries of castle life, especially fine clothes and good food.

2. Why is Prince Horace uninterested in learning to read and write?

A) He thinks these skills are for girls.

B) He thinks he can always hire someone to perform these tasks for him.

C) He thinks technology is going to make handwriting obsolete, and would prefer to learn more innovative subjects.

D) He is ashamed that he often confuses and mixes up letters.

3. What plot detail reveals that Prince Horace had unrealistic expectations about running away?

A) He did not bring any writing materials.

B) He rode a horse unaccustomed to long-distance travel.

C) He packed luxurious foods and a golden crown, but nothing practical.

D) He brought documents that clearly identify him as royalty.

4. Which of the following is NOT something Jemmy does to persuade the criminals that he is a prince?

A) Insist they raise the ransom for him

B) Act outraged when they question if he is telling the truth

C) Recite the family tree of the royal household

D) Speak using elegant and grammatically-correct language

5. Prince Horace remains insistent on which of the following points throughout the adventure?

A) That he is not going back to the castle until he chooses to

B) That he is not going to agree to an arranged marriage

C) That he is never going to accept the throne and rule as king

D) That he will never allow the death penalty within his kingdom

6. Which of the following best describes how Jemmy’s attitude toward Prince Horace changes over time?

A) He starts off indifferent to the prince’s fate, and gradually comes to care more about his well-being.

B) He starts off having sympathy for the prince, and gradually comes to see that the prince causes most of his own problems.

C) He starts off believing that the prince is braver and smarter than him, but comes to see that he is just as competent.

D) He starts off thinking that the prince is physically feeble and lazy, and comes to see that the prince is actually an impressive swimmer and runner.

7. What is revealed about Prince Horace’s character when the criminals whip him?

A) That he is empathetic

B) That he is traumatized by an abusive childhood

C) That he is fixated on vengeance

D) That he can be brave and stubborn

8. What experience transforms Jemmy to the point that his former lifestyle is no longer as appealing as it once was?

A) Seeing the close and loving dynamic within the royal family

B) Acquiring an education

C) Getting a taste of political power

D) Learning what it is like to have someone vulnerable depend on him

9. What is implied by the old milkwoman’s complaints about Prince Horace’s behavior?

A) His bad behavior makes the kingdom look weak and vulnerable in comparison to other kingdoms.

B) His bad behavior jeopardizes the state by encouraging the common people to revolt.

C) As the future head of state, his behavior will impact other people and not just himself.

D) His bad behavior makes it unlikely that anyone will ever want to marry him.

10. Prince Horace taking Jemmy’s hand while in the sewers best depicts which of the following?

A) That the prince forgives Jemmy for betraying him

B) That the two boys have become friends, and can treat each other as equals

C) That the prince regrets betraying Jemmy

D) That the prince is going to forfeit power and authority

11. What best describes the king’s reaction when the boys return to the castle?

A) He is mistrustful of Jemmy, and thinks that his son will be easily manipulated.

B) He is jealous that the prince has bonded with someone else.

C) He is quick to forgive them, and even seems amused by their adventure.

D) He comes to like Jemmy more than his own son, and makes plans to have Jemmy crowned as the future king.

12. What is ironic about the fate of Billy and Cutwater at the end of the novel?

A) They think they are fleeing to avoid prison, but they are actually sailing toward a prison.

B) They think they are going to get rich abroad, but are missing the chance to collect the reward from the king.

C) They end up going to sea after falling in a river earlier in the novel.

D) They end up sailing into shark-infested waters to avoid being pursued by a bear.

Long Answer

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

1. Why is Prince Horace unhappy with his life in the castle, and what does he wish was different about it?

2. Why does Jemmy agree to stay at the castle at the end of the novel?