View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does a recruiter from Harvard take Gunnar?

2. How does Gunnar mock the game played between Campesino and Hillside?

3. What does the school guidance counselor find unbelievable about Gunnar?

4. Who arrives at Gunnar's house while the writing class is there?

5. What does Gunnar learn the recruiter from Harvard will get if Gunnar signs with him?

Short Essay Questions

1. When does Gunnar's wedding take place and who performs the ceremony?

2. To what is Gunnar invited to speak and how does Gunnar feel about the introductory speaker?

3. What does Gunnar see when they finally get out of practice in Chapter Seven and how does he learn what is happening?

4. What does Gunnar say to the reporters about suicide?

5. How does the school counselor feel about Gunnar's SAT scores and what happens because of his scores?

6. What does Nick complain about Boston and what does he do about it?

7. What does Gunnar's father do after the riots and how does Gunnar feel about it?

8. What does Gunnar find out when he gets out of the hospital after the riots and goes to Psycho's house? What does Psycho say to Gunnar?

9. What subject does Nick bring up to Gunnar and what does Nick ask Gunnar?

10. What does Gunnar's creative writing class want him to do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of The White Boy Shuffle, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in The White Boy Shuffle. (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 2

There are a number of interesting questions raised by The White Boy Shuffle. Questions that Beatty most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Beatty's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Beatty's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Paul Beatty and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an important part of what makes The White Boy Shuffle interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Gunnar. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Psycho Loco. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Nick. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,117 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample