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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 is it about the East Side train that makes the narrator and Neeka's family uneasy?

2. Who is Daneeka Lucy Jones?

3. Why does going to a juvenile detention center seem appealing to Neeka?

4. What happens to Tupac when Chapter 10 opens?

5. How does the narrator describe the prison guards?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 11, what does D ask the narrator and Neeka if they want to do, what is their response?

2. Where is D going to live and what do the friends vow?

3. What happens in May with the narrator and how does she feel about it?

4. What is D's history with foster homes?

5. What does Tash tell Jayjones about crime?

6. What has D learned about her real mother and how does she feel about it?

7. What does Neeka's family do while visiting with Tash and what does Miss Irene say about his lawyer? What does Tash tell her?

8. What does Tash ask Jayjones and what does Tash say is the first thing he is going to do when he leaves prison?

9. Who was Tash's music teacher and what did he think of Tash's playing?

10. What does Neeka say she wants to do when she grows up?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think After Tupac and D Foster is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,174 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample