Crumbs Book Quiz – 20 Questions on Plot, Characters, Themes & More

This quiz covers all major chapters in Crumbs by Danie Stirling. You’ll find a mix of multiple‑choice and short‑answer questions. The answer key with explanations follows at the end.

For more resources, see the main book page, the questions and answers, or the ending explained.

Plot & Sequence Questions (8)

In Chapter 5, what did Jimmy and Dick do to the robin’s nest?
- A) They painted the eggs gold.
- B) They pulled the nest out and stole the blue eggs.
- C) They moved the nest to a higher branch.
- D) They fed the robin crumbs.
In Chapter 7, which story does Little Rosabel decide to act out?
- A) The Three Little Kittens
- B) Little Red Ridinghood
- C) Goldilocks and the Three Bears
- D) The Little Mermaid
What are the names of the two little girls who meet at the garden fence in Chapter 12?
(Short answer – give both names)
In Chapter 14, what does Ida’s mother make for her from an old sheet and apron?
- A) A doll
- B) A quilt
- C) A dress
- D) A handkerchief
In Chapter 23, what does Kate do on the first winter morning when the brook freezes?
- A) She goes ice skating.
- B) She breaks the ice with a stick and feeds bread crumbs to the fish.
- C) She builds a snowman.
- D) She stays inside by the fire.
In Chapter 26, what condition does Freddy’s father set for keeping his two dogs?
- A) Freddy must earn an allowance.
- B) The dogs must remain happy.
- C) Freddy must never leave the yard.
- D) The dogs must learn to fetch.
In Chapter 29, which animal unexpectedly appears on the second Christmas morning because of leftover seeds?
- A) A cat
- B) A rabbit
- C) A real live mouse
- D) A puppy
In Chapter 20, while Pa‑pa and Mam‑ma are away, who neglects the children?
(Short answer – give the character’s name)

Character Motivation Questions (5)

Why does Crumbs take a sip of milk in Chapter 12, even though she dislikes it?
- A) She is thirsty
- B) She wants to show she is truly sorry
- C) Her mother forces her
- D) She thinks it tastes like candy
Why does Beth propose leaving the boys out of the cherry party in Chapter 5?
- A) The boys broke a window
- B) The boys stole her dolls
- C) The boys destroyed a robin’s nest and took the eggs
- D) The boys teased her about her dress
Why does Rosabel go to the old woman’s house in Chapter 7?
- A) To sell cookies
- B) To act out “Little Red Ridinghood” and bring a basket with butter and pie
- C) To collect a debt
- D) To ask for directions
Why does Danny bring autumn leaves to his sick mother in Chapter 16?
- A) To decorate the room
- B) As a gift to show he is sorry for his tantrum
- C) To start a fire in the hearth
- D) To sell them for medicine
Why does Ida’s mother stay up late in Chapter 14?
- A) To finish chores
- B) To create a rag doll for Ida because they are too poor to buy a toy
- C) To write a letter
- D) To bake bread for the morning

Theme & Symbol Questions (4)

In Chapter 5, what does the destroyed robin’s nest with its missing blue eggs symbolize?
- A) The beauty of spring
- B) Cruelty to animals and the need for consequences
- C) The start of a new season
- D) The importance of sharing
In Chapter 7, what does Rosabel’s adventure suggest about stories and reality?
- A) Stories always come true exactly as told
- B) Real life can be just as magical as a story when you take action
- C) Stories are useless for everyday life
- D) Only fairy tales are worth believing
In Chapter 12, what does the sharing of the cracker and the milk represent?
- A) A trade of goods
- B) An apology through action and a willingness to compromise
- C) A competition of tastes
- D) A lesson on table manners
In Chapter 26, what does Freddy’s daily care for his dogs illustrate about responsibility?
- A) Love for pets is shown through constant gifts
- B) Consistent, kind actions lead to happiness for everyone
- C) Responsibility means never having fun
- D) Only adults can be responsible

Synthesis Questions (3)

Compare the apology acts of Crumbs (Chapter 12) and Danny (Chapter 16). How are they similar?
(Write a short answer of 2–4 sentences.)
The book is titled Crumbs and also features a character named Crumbs. What might “crumbs” symbolize throughout the stories?
(Write a short answer of 2–4 sentences.)
How do the stories about children helping others (e.g., Rosabel, Ida, Kate) reinforce a central message of the book?
(Write a short answer of 2–4 sentences.)

Answer Key

Plot & Sequence

B – They pulled the nest out and stole the blue eggs. (Chapter 5 digest: “the nest was pulled out and tipped on the ground, and the lovely eggs were gone”)
B – Little Red Ridinghood. (Chapter 7: Rosabel “chose the story of ‘Little Red Ridinghood’”)
Crumbs and Drops. (Chapter 12: “Crumbs of Crackers” and “Drops of Milk” were the names)
A – A doll. (Chapter 14: “creates a rag doll from an old sheet and apron”)
B – She breaks the ice with a stick and feeds bread crumbs to the fish. (Chapter 23: “breaks the ice with a stick, and feeds the fish bread crumbs”)
B – The dogs must remain happy. (Chapter 26: Freddy’s father says “the dogs will remain his only as long as they are happy”)
C – A real live mouse. (Chapter 29: “a real live mouse emerges, attracted by leftover seeds”)
Ann. (Chapter 20: “Ann neglects her duty by leaving the children alone”)

Character Motivation

B – She wants to show she is truly sorry. (Chapter 12: “to show that she was truly sorry, took a sip from the cup”)
C – The boys destroyed a robin’s nest and took the eggs. (Chapter 5: Beth says “It is because you broke up the robin’s nest”)
B – To act out “Little Red Ridinghood” and bring a basket with butter and pie. (Chapter 7: “put a pat of butter and a custard-pie in a little basket, tied on her red hood, and started away”)
B – As a gift to show he is sorry for his tantrum. (Chapter 16: “brings her an armful of autumn leaves…the mother wakes, sees the colorful offering and her son’s sorrowful eyes, and embraces him, forgiving him immediately”)
B – To create a rag doll for Ida because they are too poor to buy a toy. (Chapter 14: “Unable to afford a toy, Ida’s mother stays up late and creates a rag doll”)

Theme & Symbol

B – Cruelty to animals and the need for consequences. (Chapter 5: the punishment of exclusion from the cherry party is meant to teach that cruelty to birds is not tolerated)
B – Real life can be just as magical as a story when you take action. (Chapter 7: Rosabel’s adventure shows that by acting, she enters a real need and does good, blurring the line between story and reality)
B – An apology through action and a willingness to compromise. (Chapter 12: Crumbs shares her cracker and sips milk she dislikes to make amends)
B – Consistent, kind actions lead to happiness for everyone. (Chapter 26: because Freddy is “prompt, true, and kind, both he and the dogs are content”)

Synthesis (Sample Answers)

Both apologies require a personal sacrifice. Crumbs drinks milk she hates, and Danny gathers leaves despite his shame. Neither uses words; instead they perform an action that costs them something, showing that sincere regret is proved through deeds.
“Crumbs” likely represents small, seemingly insignificant pieces—of food, kindness, or moments—that can build into something meaningful. The character Crumbs offers a cracker to Drops, and throughout the book children give crumbs to birds and fish, suggesting that tiny acts of generosity nourish others and connect the community.
These stories show that children, even when young or poor, can make a real difference. Rosabel gets help for a starving grandmother, Ida receives love in the form of a handmade doll, and Kate feeds the fish. The central message is that compassion and initiative, no matter how small, matter deeply and can transform lives.