Understanding Jerry Spinelli's Loser

What is the name of the main character in "Loser" by Jerry Spinelli?

• Donald Zinkoff

• Andrew Orwell

• Gary Hobin

• Claudia Zinkoff

Which item does Zinkoff wear on his first day of first grade that makes him stand out?

• A yellow hat

• A giraffe hat

• A red scarf

• A blue jacket

Who is Zinkoff’s best friend in the early part of the story?

• Hector Binns

• Claudia Zinkoff

• Andrew Orwell

• Gary Hobin

What is the main reason Zinkoff is called a "loser" by his classmates?

• He loses races and games

• He forgets his homework

• He is mean to others

• He is the tallest in class

Which event causes Zinkoff to miss a day of school and later be teased by his classmates?

• He gets lost on the way home

• He has stomach surgery

• He forgets his lunch

• He moves to a new house

Why does Zinkoff keep running in the Field Day race even after everyone else has finished?

• He wants to win at all costs

• He doesn’t realize the race is over

• He believes finishing is important, no matter what

• He is trying to impress his teacher

How does Zinkoff’s attitude toward losing differ from that of his classmates?

• He is angry when he loses

• He doesn’t care about winning or losing as much as having fun

• He cheats to try to win

• He refuses to play games

What lesson does Zinkoff learn from his experiences at school and with his friends?

• That being popular is the most important thing

• That kindness and perseverance matter more than winning

• That he should stop trying

• That he should always follow the crowd

How does Zinkoff react when he is not chosen for teams during Field Day?

• He cries and leaves the field

• He gets angry at his classmates

• He still cheers for everyone and tries his best

• He refuses to participate

What does Zinkoff do during the snowstorm that shows his caring nature?

• He builds a snowman

• He searches for a missing child

• He stays inside and reads

• He throws snowballs at friends