Gordon's Game: Full-Book Quiz

Welcome to the ultimate Gordon's Game quiz! These twenty questions cover plot, character motivation, themes, and synthesis. Each question is based on events from the book. After the quiz, check the answer key for detailed explanations. For more discussion, visit the book overview or the questions and answers page. If you're curious about the ending, read the ending explained.

Quiz Questions

Plot and Sequence (Questions 1–8)

Q1. (Short answer) What fast‑food restaurant does Gordon work at during his summer job?
Answer: ___________________________

Q2. (Multiple choice) During Gordon's first Leinster training session, which teammate warns him, “we are not mates” and that competition for the inside‑centre position is real?
A) Brian O’Driscoll
B) Graham “Bully” Bull
C) Dan “Handsome” Hansen
D) Leo Cullen

Q3. (Short answer) After being rejected from the Clongowes junior squad, what dangerous school tradition does Conor attempt?
Answer: ___________________________

Q4. (Multiple choice) Aoife Kehoe is the captain of which team?
A) Ireland Schoolboys
B) Ireland Schoolgirls
C) Leinster Women
D) Munster Women

Q5. (Short answer) Who destroys Gordon’s mother’s Walkman?
Answer: ___________________________

Q6. (Multiple choice) In the European Cup semi‑final against Munster at Croke Park, which attacking move does Johnny Sexton call that leads to a try by Rocky Elsom?
A) The Leinster Way
B) Dingo
C) Never Ending Defence
D) Blue Thunder

Q7. (Short answer) What medical condition causes Aoife to be hospitalised after overtraining?
Answer: ___________________________

Q8. (Multiple choice) Gordon passes his Easter exams with the help of which friend who tutors him?
A) Conor
B) Peter
C) Aoife
D) Ian

Character Motivation (Questions 9–13)

Q9. (Multiple choice) Why does Conor feel betrayed by Gordon after being told he is too small for the junior squad?
A) Gordon promised to help him train but didn’t.
B) Gordon had encouraged him to aim high.
C) Gordon told the coach about his pranks.
D) Gordon took his place on the team.

Q10. (Short answer) What is Aoife’s main reason for constantly practising her kicking, even after becoming captain?
Answer: ___________________________

Q11. (Multiple choice) Why does Gordon pretend to have a tummy ache to avoid Leinster training?
A) He is actually sick from nerves.
B) He dreads facing Bully after his mistake.
C) He has a geography exam the next day.
D) He wants to visit Conor in hospital.

Q12. (Short answer) What is the primary reason Gordon decides to return to Leinster after Joe Schmidt’s visit to his home?
Answer: ___________________________

Q13. (Multiple choice) Why is Dan Hansen permanently dropped from the Leinster squad?
A) He fails a drug test.
B) He disrespects team values by arriving late from a hair‑gel ad.
C) He fights with Bully during training.
D) He insults Joe Schmidt in front of the team.

Theme and Symbol (Questions 14–17)

Q14. (Short answer) The fake tan that Gordon applies represents what central theme?
Answer: ___________________________

Q15. (Multiple choice) The Walkman that Gordon borrows from his mother symbolises what throughout the book?
A) His love for eighties music
B) His connection to family and his own identity
C) His training regimen
D) His friendship with Bully

Q16. (Short answer) According to Joe Schmidt, “The Leinster Way” emphasises which core values? Name at least two.
Answer: ___________________________

Q17. (Multiple choice) Jumping the Gollymochy is a school tradition that symbolises:
A) Academic achievement
B) Rebellion and earning respect / legend status
C) Rugby skill
D) Friendship

Synthesis (Questions 18–20)

Q18. (Short answer) How does Aoife’s campaign for equality in girls’ rugby parallel Gordon’s personal struggle within the Leinster team?
Answer: ___________________________

Q19. (Multiple choice) How does Gordon’s friendship with Conor change over the course of the book?
A) They become rivals when Conor supports Munster.
B) Conor becomes jealous and distances himself.
C) Gordon supports Conor through his injury and they remain close.
D) Conor gets expelled and they lose touch.

Q20. (Short answer) What lesson about heroism does Gordon learn from Felipe Contéptomi that he later applies to Aoife’s situation?
Answer: ___________________________

Answer Key

Q1. McWonderburger. (Ch. 3: Gordon works at McWonderburger, wearing a humiliating uniform.)

Q2. B) Graham “Bully” Bull. (Ch. 8: Bully warns Gordon that competition for the inside‑centre position is real and they are not mates.)

Q3. Jumping the Gollymochy. (Ch. 7: Conor attempts the dangerous river jump after being rejected from the junior squad; Ch. 14 shows the actual jump.)

Q4. B) Ireland Schoolgirls. (Ch. 16: Aoife reveals she is captain of the Ireland Schoolgirls team and highlights the inequalities they face.)

Q5. Bully (Graham Bull). (Ch. 27: Bully destroys Gordon’s mother’s Walkman after Gordon refuses to shake his hand.)

Q6. B) Dingo. (Ch. 43: Johnny Sexton calls the “Dingo” move, which works perfectly, leading to a try by Rocky Elsom.)

Q7. Exhaustion and laryngitis. (Ch. 40: Aoife is hospitalised due to overtraining and laryngitis from campaigning for equal treatment.)

Q8. B) Peter. (Ch. 33: Peter tutors Gordon in geography and algebra to help him pass his exams.)

Q9. B) Gordon had encouraged him to aim high. (Ch. 14: Conor says, “You were the one who told me to aim high – otherwise, I’d never achieve anything. Thanks a lot, Gordon.”)

Q10. Fear of losing her kicking duties to Emma Ormsby. (Ch. 9 and 11: Aoife explains she must keep improving to stay better than Emma Ormsby, who is also a strong kicker.)

Q11. B) He dreads facing Bully after his mistake. (Ch. 18: Gordon claims a tummy ache because he dreads Bully’s bullying after the Toulouse match.)

Q12. He is inspired by Aoife’s advocacy and Joe Schmidt’s talk about resilience. (Ch. 22: After watching Aoife train and speak out, Gordon decides to accept Joe’s offer to return to Leinster.)

Q13. B) He disrespects team values by arriving late from a hair‑gel ad. (Ch. 23: Dan misses the team bus because he was filming a hair‑gel ad; Joe Schmidt drops him for disrespecting team values.)

Q14. Trying to fit in / peer pressure / conformity. (Ch. 10–12: Gordon applies fake tan to fit in with Leinster teammates, but it backfires and symbolises his insecurity.)

Q15. B) His connection to family and his own identity. (The Walkman is his mother’s; he listens to Garth Brooks, a link to home. Bully’s destruction of it represents the loss of that touchstone.)

Q16. Humility, discipline, respect, teamwork, collective responsibility. (Ch. 2, 12, 17: Joe Schmidt’s signs and speeches emphasise these values.)

Q17. B) Rebellion and earning respect / legend status. (Ch. 7: The Gollymochy jump is a tradition; those who succeed become legends; it represents defiance of authority and the desire for respect.)

Q18. Both fight against entrenched systems: Aoife confronts the Schoolgirls Rugby Federation for equality, while Gordon deals with cliques and bullying at Leinster. Each must speak up and show courage to change their environment. (Compare Ch. 16 and 30 with Ch. 8 and 17.)

Q19. C) Gordon supports Conor through his injury and they remain close. (Conor breaks his leg; Gordon helps him out of the river. Later, Conor writes a play that mocks their McWonderburger job, showing their friendship remains strong.)

Q20. True heroism sometimes means letting someone else be the hero. (Ch. 50: Felipe’s lesson applies when Aoife gives the winning kick to Emma Ormsby, trusting her teammate.)

For more about the book, including character analyses and the full story, explore the Gordon's Game page. If you have your own questions, check out the questions and answers or read the ending explained.