Notes From The Midnight Driver

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

Multiple Choice

1. Based on events in the novel, which of the following best summarizes what the author thinks about divorce?

A) People should not get a divorce.

B) It is a rational solution as long as the couple remains separated.

C) Family situations are complicated.

D) Divorce has an emotional impact on a couple’s children.

2. What is the best explanation for the author’s use of short chapters?

A) It provides the reader with variety.

B) It moves the plot quickly at times and slows it down at others.

C) It informs the reader about details that Alex doesn’t know.

D) It caters to the audience’s short attention span.

3. Which of the following is the clearest example of the novel’s use of irony?

A) Sol is sympathetic toward Alex about his drunk driving charge.

B) Simon is mad that Janet had alcohol in the house.

C) Alex talks about his own life but never asks Sol about his.

D) Sol provides Alex with tips and advice on how to play his guitar.

4. Which of the following plot scenarios is an example of foreshadowing?

A) Alex gets letters instructing him to stick out his community service.

B) Alex receives Sol’s guitar to play for his charitable performance.

C) Alex’s parents come home together on New Year’s Day.

D) Laurie finds out that her mother is pregnant.

5. How does the relationship between Alex and Sol change throughout the novel?

A) They learn to appreciate one another but never become friends.

B) They do not get along throughout the novel.

C) They build a friendship around music and shared experiences.

D) They clash at first but eventually realize their situations are the same.

6. What inferences can be drawn by Judge Trent’s insistence that Alex continue his community service with Sol?

A) She feels that Alex deserves to be miserable.

B) She delights in knowing other people can’t get along with her father either.

C) She thinks Alex may help heal her relationship with her father.

D) She believes that Alex will learn an important lesson.

7. Why do Sol’s verbal attacks become increasingly volatile at the beginning of the novel?

A) Sol struggles with mental illness.

B) He is angry that Alex was driving drunk.

C) It is Sol’s attempt to rid himself of Alex.

D) He doesn’t like Alex.

8. How do Alex’s feelings toward Laurie change over the course of the novel?

A) The two become distant because of Sol.

B) He realizes that he likes her as more than a friend.

C) Laurie likes Alex more than she did in the beginning.

D) Alex likes Laurie, but those feelings are not returned.

9. Based on the novel, what can the reader infer that Alex has difficulty assessing?

A) The emotions of other people

B) His own emotions

C) The needs of elderly people

D) His relationships with peers

10. How does Alex consistently deal with conflict in the novel?

A) He uses avoidance tactics.

B) He responds violently.

C) He drinks alcohol.

D) He calls Laurie.

11. What lesson does Alex learn from Steve’s and Annette’s musical talent?

A) Talent is born and not made.

B) A lack of adversity grants some people more time to practice.

C) Skill is acquired through practice and hard work.

D) He can take his skills to the next level by spending time with them.

12. How does Alex’s perception of his time spent in the nursing home change by the novel’s conclusion?

A) His attitude remains consistent throughout the novel.

B) He frequently fights with Sol but becomes less combative.

C) He at first enjoys his time with Sol but gradually sinks into resentment.

D) He starts by believing he is helping Sol but later recognizes his own growth.

13. What event in the novel marks the turning point for Alex’s emotional maturity?

A) His parents decide to divorce.

B) He finally listens to Sol’s life story.

C) He attends the dance with Sarah.

D) He decides to pursue Laurie romantically.

14. How does Alex’s emotional maturity change throughout the novel?

A) He moves from self-centeredness to selflessness.

B) He becomes more like Sol.

C) He overcomes his resentment toward his parents.

D) He learns to avoid situations that make him angry.

15. What does the Judy Box ultimately prompt Alex to do?

A) Repair his relationship with Laurie

B) Play in the benefit concert

C) Take responsibility for his own relationships

D) Encourage his parents to get back together

Long Answer

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

1. How does Alex’s relationship with Laurie change in the novel, and what prompts the change?

2. What does Alex learn from the story of Sol’s family?