Say a Little Prayer Quiz: 20 Questions to Test Your Knowledge of Jenna Voris's Novel
Test your knowledge of Jenna Voris's Say a Little Prayer with this 20-question quiz. Questions cover plot, character motivation, themes, and synthesis, drawing on the full arc of Riley's journey from angry outsider to hopeful reconciler. For deeper context, see the book overview, questions and answers, and ending explained. The answer key follows the questions, with brief explanations grounded in the novel's events. Good luck!
## Quiz Questions
### Plot and Sequence
1. What event leads to Riley's punishment and forced attendance at church camp?
- A) She skipped school to go to a concert.
- B) She slapped Amanda Clarke in the hallway.
- C) She vandalized the principal's office.
- D) She argued with Pastor Young at a service.
2. What alternative does Mr. Rider offer Riley instead of suspension?
- A) Community service at the library.
- B) Attend Pleasant Hills Spring Youth Camp and write an essay.
- C) Write a letter of apology to Amanda.
- D) Tutor younger students for a month.
3. What is Riley's plan to get revenge on Pastor Young?
- A) To expose his secret affair.
- B) To commit all seven deadly sins and document them.
- C) To steal the church's donation money.
- D) To publicly challenge him during a sermon.
4. What secret tradition do the campers have after lights-out?
- A) Sneaking out to the lake.
- B) Watching a Footloose DVD.
- C) Sharing contraband snacks.
- D) Writing in prayer journals.
5. During the field trip, what does Riley deliberately do to commit the sin of greed? (Short answer)
6. What do Riley and the other girls do during the fasting day?
- A) They sneak to the kitchen to eat.
- B) They refuse to participate in activities.
- C) They hide food in their cabin.
- D) They complain to the counselors.
7. What does Riley learn about Amanda at the tower?
- A) Amanda is planning to transfer schools.
- B) Amanda lied about getting into Indiana's dance program.
- C) Amanda is secretly dating Ben.
- D) Amanda is jealous of Riley's role in the musical.
8. What happens between Riley and Julia at the bonfire? (Short answer)
### Character Motivation
9. Why does Riley initially agree to attend the camp?
- A) To reconnect with her faith.
- B) To avoid suspension and keep her role in Shrek the Musical.
- C) To spend time with Julia.
- D) To prove she can follow rules.
10. Why does Riley decide to commit the seven deadly sins?
- A) To win a bet with her friends.
- B) To discredit Pastor Young and get revenge for being cast out.
- C) To test her own moral limits.
- D) To impress Julia with her rebellion.
11. Why does Julia hesitate to browse at the thrift store?
- A) She is afraid of getting caught.
- B) She feels she must be an example in her church community.
- C) She doesn't like the clothes.
- D) She is worried about spending money.
12. Why does Amanda apologize to Riley? (Short answer)
13. Why does Riley claim the prayer book as hers during the church service?
- A) To protect Julia from being exposed.
- B) To take credit for the writing.
- C) To embarrass Pastor Young.
- D) To get attention.
### Theme and Symbol
14. What does the prayer book symbolize in the novel?
- A) Religious devotion.
- B) Private thoughts, secrets, and rebellion.
- C) A record of sins.
- D) A way to communicate with God.
15. What does the sunflower patch represent?
- A) The church's community garden.
- B) Friendship, memory, and summer tradition.
- C) A symbol of Riley's anger.
- D) A place for secret meetings.
16. What does the crumpled sticky note in the chastity session symbolize?
- A) The importance of writing down sins.
- B) How lust tarnishes people.
- C) The need for confession.
- D) The fragility of faith.
17. What does the storm at the end of camp symbolize? (Short answer)
### Synthesis
18. How does Riley's relationship with faith change by the end of the novel? (Short answer)
19. What is the significance of the walkout during Pastor Young's sermon?
- A) It shows the campers' defiance and solidarity.
- B) It is a planned protest against the sermon.
- C) It results in the pastor's resignation.
- D) It leads to the camp being shut down.
20. How does the novel portray the relationship between religion and identity? (Short answer)
## Answer Key
1. B) She slapped Amanda Clarke in the hallway.
Explanation: In Chapter I, Riley slaps Amanda after Amanda publicly mocked Hannah's abortion, leading to the disciplinary meeting.
2. B) Attend Pleasant Hills Spring Youth Camp and write an essay.
Explanation: Mr. Rider offers this alternative to suspension, which Riley accepts to keep her role in the musical.
3. B) To commit all seven deadly sins and document them.
Explanation: In Chapter IV, Riley realizes the week's structure matches the seven sins and decides to commit each one and record it to discredit Pastor Young.
4. B) Watching a Footloose DVD.
Explanation: Delaney reveals the secret tradition of watching a Footloose DVD after lights-out.
5. Riley deliberately buys something at the thrift store.
Explanation: In Chapter VII, Riley decides to buy an item to commit the sin of greed without getting caught.
6. A) They sneak to the kitchen to eat.
Explanation: In Chapter X, Riley proposes sneaking to the kitchen after the fast ends, and the group goes together.
7. B) Amanda lied about getting into Indiana's dance program.
Explanation: In Chapter XIII, Amanda admits she was rejected and feels inadequate.
8. They almost kiss, but Julia pulls away.
Explanation: At the bonfire, Riley and Julia share a moment, but Julia says it's late and leaves.
9. B) To avoid suspension and keep her role in Shrek the Musical.
Explanation: Riley chooses camp over suspension because she can't lose her first lead role.
10. B) To discredit Pastor Young and get revenge for being cast out.
Explanation: The Author's Note and Chapter IV confirm Riley's plan is driven by revenge against those who cast her out.
11. B) She feels she must be an example in her church community.
Explanation: In Chapter VIII, Julia hesitates because of her role as an example, but Riley persuades her.
12. Amanda apologizes for her treatment of Hannah and for lying about the dance program.
Explanation: In Chapter XIII, Amanda apologizes for her treatment of Hannah, and Riley apologizes for hitting her.
13. A) To protect Julia from being exposed.
Explanation: In Chapter XIX, Riley stands and claims the book is hers to shield Julia from Pastor Young's accusation.
14. B) Private thoughts, secrets, and rebellion.
Explanation: The prayer book holds Riley's notes and later Julia's journal, representing hidden feelings and defiance.
15. B) Friendship, memory, and summer tradition.
Explanation: In Chapter XXI, Riley recalls the tradition of group photos in Ben's sunflower patch, symbolizing enduring bonds.
16. B) How lust tarnishes people.
Explanation: In Chapter XV, Cindy uses the crumpled sticky note to illustrate how lust tarnishes people.
17. The storm symbolizes disruption, emotional turmoil, and change.
Explanation: The camp ends early due to a storm, mirroring Riley's inner conflict and the upheaval of her relationships.
18. Riley moves from anger and rejection of faith to finding hope and acceptance outside the church, while still valuing the good in people.
Explanation: The Author's Note and ending show Riley's growth toward hope and reconciliation, even as she leaves organized religion.
19. A) It shows the campers' defiance and solidarity.
Explanation: In Chapter XIX, multiple campers claim the book and walk out together, demonstrating collective resistance.
20. The novel shows that religion can be harmful and hypocritical, but also that faith can be personal and hopeful; it explores diverse experiences.
Explanation: The Author's Note emphasizes Voris's intent to portray a range of teenage experiences with faith, all valid and real.