Reading Check and Short Answer Questions on key plot points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

Chapter 1

Reading Check

1. How do Charlie and Nick meet?

2. What happens to cause Charlie and Nick to become friends?

3. What does Tao Xu say about Nick?

4. What first impresses Nick about Charlie?

5. Why is Charlie nervous about joining the rugby team?

6. How does Charlie feel about the way Ben treats him?

7. Why are the other boys surprised when Charlie does well at rugby?

8. What happens to Charlie after rugby practice that leads Nick to interfere?

9. What is Nick thinking about in the car with his mom?

10. What does Charlie say to himself about his feelings for Nick?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence or sentences. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. How does the incident with Ben help Charlie and Nick become closer friends?

2. Which stereotypes become evident when Charlie joins the rugby team, and how do Charlie and Nick prove them wrong?

Paired Resource

“Microaggressions and Microinterventions in the Classroom”

• This brief online article from Florida State University defines the term microaggressions and offers examples especially pertinent to individuals and marginalized groups within a classroom setting, plus ways that teachers and classmates can work to counter with “microinterventions.