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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Bonham shows that an unsafe environment can lead teens into gang violence as they group together for what purpose?

2. Rufus manages to hold his own against the boys' attacks during his initiation until what?

3. As soon as Rufus makes his pledge and shakes Bantu's hand, what transpires next?

4. What is Sergeant Starkey's response when Alex Robbins first stops by the police station and tells him his role is to break up the Moors?

5. At his new job repairing tires, Rufus does not like it when the boss, Mr. Wells, does what?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is it that Rufus Henry is let into the Moors gang after the president of the gang initially says no to his request?

2. What are some of the things Alex Robbins from the Group Service Council learns upon studying the Moors' police file on the morning following the call he receives from Ed Travers?

3. In the opening chapters, what type of picture does author Frank Bonham paint of Rufus Henry's new environment in the Durango Housing Project?

4. How is it that Rufus Henry displays his practical side when initially encountering the Gassers gang?

5. What transpires when Bantu Motley initially leaves jail and meets up with Moors members at the Happy Spot?

6. Later on the evening that Rufus Henry accepts membership into the Moors gang, why is it that Ed Travers makes a call on Rufus' behalf?

7. At the beginning of the novel, during his weekly meeting with Rufus Henry, how does social worker Mr. Rubio attempt to let Rufus know he is aware of his Ernie Brown scrapbook?

8. Once safe at home following his confrontation with the Gassers in the alley, what is his mother's response when Rufus Henry asks her about her first marriage?

9. When Rufus Henry offers to purchase groceries using the money he has been given upon leaving Pine Valley, what is his mother's response?

10. While still at the crafts center, what is Rufus Henry's response when Alex Robbins suggests the Moors elect a president for their social club?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Because it will be too late in the semester for Rufus Henry to return to school when he moves back in with his mother, his parole officer arranges to obtain employment for him. Why does Rufus' job at Ace Tire and Retread terminate his first day at work? What are the monikers that his supervisor, Mr. Wells, uses in referring to Rufus? Prior to his going on a coffee break, what steps does Rufus take to ensure his employment by Mr. Wells will no longer be continued?

Essay Topic 2

Spell out why sections cut from a hose and filled with sand represent for Rufus Henry a powerful symbol. How do empty hose pieces reflect caution on his part? How do sand-filled hose sections depict lack of caution on the part of his fellow gang members? Why does Rufus turn Judy Williams and Nonie Emrey away when they offer assistance? What is Rufus fearful of?

Essay Topic 3

In what ways does Rufus Henry display his cleverness in retaliating against the Gassers for attacking his sister? What sort of trap does he set up? How does he get them to fall into that trap? What reward do the Moors achieve? What risk do they take? How wise is it on Rufus' part to take such a risk?

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