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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 old is Jim, when the story begins?

2. Who does Jim say is a die-hard Marxist?

3. What does Rudy the foreman do after he chases Jim to the ramp at Yankee Stadium?

4. What does Jim ask his mom for that makes her angry?

5. How does Jim play on a league out of his age range?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Jim get out of saying confession in the winter of 1964?

2. Describe Jim's performance in the basketball game he plays in New Jersey.

3. Why does Jim say he never liked Bobo from the old Boys' Club bunch?

4. What prank does Mancole play on a neighbor?

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

6. Why does Jim feel he has to watch himself in the woods?

7. What does Jim say is the advantage of going to a private school?

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

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

10. How does Jim's body feel when he tries heroin for the first time?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why might basketball be the chosen sport for Jim? What factors make this a popular sport with boys in his community?

Essay Topic 2

How does Jim express his confidence over the course of the book? How does he show or hide his weakness?

Essay Topic 3

Describe Jim's interactions with people of other cultures. How does he get along with them? What conflicts does he have? What type of language does he use to describe them?

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