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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. How long does Luis wait for Vivian at the dance before he leaves?

2. Who is Chente Ramirez?

3. How is the mascot changed at Keppel High school?

4. What do some of the neighbors call kids on the streets?

5. What does the neighborhood plan to do about gang violence?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the riots of the Vietnam War impact Luis's life?

2. Why is the meeting of gangs called off?

3. What are Mr. Madison's plans for changes for the high school?

4. Describe Luis's experience with drugs that is described midway through the book.

5. What are some small strides happening in race relations at Luis' school after Mr. Madison arrives?

6. What happens when Luis tries to attend Taft High School to get a better education?

7. Why does Luis stab someone with a screwdriver?

8. How does Luis feel about the changes Mr. Madison made?

9. Who is Joe and what does Joe discover about Luis?

10. Why is Roberta a prostitute?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe how Luis's father's struggle to maintain a job causes the family to move to L.A. and how the job situation is once he gets there.

Essay Topic 2

Beyond a feeling of belonging, why is the pull of the gang for Luis so strong that even a woman's influence cannot change his mind?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contract the relationship between Luis and his mother with the relationship he has with his father. Does he blame his father for his mother's hard life? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 650 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample