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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. When the author read books, he yearned for something. What did he yearn for?

2. Why did the C.P. Organizer say the author couldn't join the Socialist party?

3. What was the keyword when referred to Mendy?

4. Who's name was on the sign the boys pasted to the outside wall of a house on Chester Street?

5. What did Mrs. Solovey's coffin look like?

Short Essay Questions

1. When the author would play games with his friends, he would usually hide in the monument works. What was significant about the monument works?

2. What did the author do after the other boys had gone inside and why?

3. The author gave Mrs. Solovey an alternative name -- what was the name and why did he give it to her?

4. What did the second hand furniture shops remind the author of?

5. The author liked to go to the courtyard to hear music, why was there always music in the courtyard?

6. What did the author write his final high school paper on?

7. Who were the two colorful women the author remembers in great detail?

8. When Mrs. Solovey makes a visit to the author's home, she engages the author in conversation but soon becomes frustrated. Why does she become frustrated?

9. The author read from his prayer book every morning. What were his feelings and experiences?

10. Where did the author's walks take him when he walked to the edge of Brownsville?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When the author talks about his longing for "beyond," what does he mean and how does he feel he can accomplish this goal? Please make sure to include examples from the text in addition to your own ideas.

Essay Topic 2

In the narrative, the author continually describes his struggle with feeling like an outsider. The author also talks about how he tried to escape being an outsider.

Part 1) Have you ever felt like an outsider?

Part 2) What ways have you discovered help you not feel like an outsider?

Essay Topic 3

In the group that he joins, the author meets two young men who make a significant impact on him. Who were the members and what details about these members and their surroundings drew the author in? What aspects of these characters distanced him?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 934 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample