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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. Who watches the three girls jump rope?

2. Why do Neeka and the narrator quit what they are doing?

3. How does the day end in Chapter 1?

4. How many sets of twins does Neeka's family have?

5. Why was Albert named as he was?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the narrator say about Tupac Shakur and getting shot in the prologue?

2. How do the narrator and Neeka feel about Tupac?

3. What do the narrator and Neeka dream about when they listen to Tupac's music and how old are they?

4. What is Neeka's mother like, what is her name and how does she feel about D when she first meets D?

5. For whom is Albert named and why does the narrator question this choice?

6. What does Jayjones tell the girls about him and Tupac?

7. How does D describe herself and why do Neeka and the narrator envy her? What does D envy about Neeka?

8. Why does Jayjones arrive at the house breathless in Chapter 5?

9. Who is D's foster mother, what is she like, and why does D obey her?

10. What does D say looking at Tupac does to her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Tupac's shooting forced some to dismiss Tupac as a mere "gangster" who was a bad influence on black youth. The narrator saw him as a survivor and a hero. Even when Tupac was jailed and released an album from jail, the narrator admired him for his irrepressible spirit.

1. Why do you think the three girls see Tupac as a hero? Use examples from the book and your own opinion to support your answer.

2. Do you think the lyrics to music can be a bad influence on young people? Why or why not? Use examples from the book and your own opinion to support your answer.

3. Discuss, in your opinion, how the bill or rights which guarantees free speech applies to songs. Use examples from the book and your own opinion to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Jayjones, who is Neeka's older brother, is a star basketball player at Grady High School. He aspires to play professional basketball.

1. Do you think Jayjones is wise to pin all his hopes on being drafted for pro ball? Why or why not? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

2. School athletes often have low grades because they spend too much time on sports. Defend or refute this statement in depth. Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

3. High schools and colleges should require academic excellence from all athletes in case the athlete is unable to earn a living in his/her chosen sport. Defend or refute this statement in depth. Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

It is clear the girls love Tupac because he "speaks their language." He speaks about issues that affect them or people they know, such as racism, poverty, teen pregnancy, and the complicated nature of the relationship between mother and child.

1. This book takes place in the middle 1990's. Do you think racism is still a big issue in America at that time? Why or why not? Use examples from the book and your own opinion to support your answer.

2. Discuss the correlation between poverty and teen pregnancy. This may require research. Use examples from the book and your own opinion to support your answer.

3. Why do you think the relationship between a mother and her child or children is complicated? Use examples from the book and your own opinion to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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