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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 kinds of injuries does the person have who takes a beating to join the Lomas?

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

3. Where is the leader of The Animal Tribe killed?

4. Who is Mr. Madison?

5. What comes to the neighborhood to try to address the gang problems?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Sal feel for the Sangras?

2. Who is Michael Robles?

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

4. How does Luis find out about the city mural project?

5. How does Luis fair in his beating to become a Lomas?

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

7. Why isn't Luis charged in the attack on the bikers?

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

9. Why is Roberta a prostitute?

10. What kind of anger does Luis feel about his relationship with Vivian?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe what leads to Luis being kicked out of the house and into the garage. What prompts Luis's mother to be fed up with him? How does it make Luis feel? Why does he turn to drugs?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 698 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample