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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 does Jim check the almanac for when he gets home from school?

2. Why do Jim and his friends laugh during the giant fire on Second Ave.?

3. Who does Jim offer a joint to in the winter of 1964?

4. Who does Jim talk to about what he learns at the Communist Party meeting?

5. How old does Jim say his dead friend looks?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to Jim, how is the game "chickie" played?

2. Why doesn't Jim like walking to gym class in Central Park?

3. Why does Jim stop writing in the winter of 1964?

4. What does Jim tell the principal's secretary when he calls in sick?

5. Why does Jim predict a gang war soon?

6. Why isn't Jim going to tell anyone he was in a baby powder commercial?

7. Why does a woman on the bus in Long Beach think Jim is "a commie"?

8. What does Jim say is the worst part of his addiction?

9. What theory about paying for food do Jim and his friends share while stoned?

10. What event makes Jim wonder where his life is heading?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Jim show his identity? How does his identity change over the course of his teen years?

Essay Topic 2

How are teachers portrayed in the diaries? How is education portrayed? What feelings or experiences might explain Jim's fantasy of bringing a gun to school?

Essay Topic 3

Why does Jim become disillusioned with the peace movement? Why does he believe that leaders are not needed? What type of change does he suggest?

(see the answer keys)

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