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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. What does Josh say that JB hates in "Myocardial Infarction"?

2. What does Josh describe doing during practice in "This Week, I"?

3. At what time is the first message posted in "Text Messages from Vondie"?

4. What school has Josh's team just defeated in "Article #1 in the Daily News (December 14)"?

5. What does Josh describe his father playing with his brothers in "Santa Claus Stops By"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What information is related in "Text Messages from Vondie"?

2. How is the word "profusely" explored in the poem that has the same name?

3. What are some of the questions that appear in the poem "Questions" in "Fourth Quarter"?

4. What are some of the reasons that Josh lists in "Mom, Since You Asked, I’ll Tell You Why I’m So Angry"?

5. What character is compared to a storm in the poem "Storm"? How does the author make this comparison?

6. What is the focus and meaning of "Basketball Rule #7"?

7. What stylistic elements stand out in the poem "Fast Break"?

8. Why does Josh point out the irony of the doctor's name in "The Next Morning"?

9. How are the Christmas celebrations described in "Santa Claus Stops By"?

10. How would you describe Josh's attitude at the hospital in "The Doctor Pats Jordan and Me on the Back And Says"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Several poems throughout The Crossover are titled "Basketball Rule #." What is the significance of these particular poems? How do these poems stand out stylistically from the others in the verse novel?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze and discuss the character of Chuck Bell in the novel. How does Chuck feel about his sons? What career did Chuck have? Why did he leave this career? What leads up to Chuck's death?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Josh's feelings about Alexis (Miss Sweet Tea) in the narrative. Why does Josh express jealousy over Alexis? What do you think Alexis represents symbolically in the story? Why?

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