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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. Why does Johnny laugh when Willie threatens to give him a nosebleed?

2. When do Wilie and his father take an evening motorcycle ride?

3. What advice does Cyril give Willie to help him deal with the dreams that he has been having?

4. Willie's bus ticket will take him to which city?

5. Where do Willie and his father stop during their motorcycle ride?

Short Essay Questions

1. How has Willie's attitude toward Jenny changed since the summer?

2. Why do Willie, Petey, and Jenny go to see Mr. Samson?

3. How does Petey Shropshire cause Willie to lose control of his anger?

4. What is special about the basketball game that Willie plays with Hawk and Kato?

5. Why is Willie reluctant to return to school after his accident?

6. What steps does Willie take to make sure that no one will be able to find him?

7. What evidence at the beginning of Chapter 2 suggests that Willie and his father, Big Will, enjoy taking risks?

8. Why does Willie run in the dark?

9. Why does Johnny Rivers lament the fact that they are juniors?

10. Why is Mrs. Weaver worried about Willie's love for speed?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When he leaves Oakland, Willie tells Lacey, "if it means anything ... you're one and one now. You broke one and you fixed one." Agree or disagree with Willie's assessment. Has Lacey atoned for what he has done to his son? Support with evidence.

Essay Topic 2

Sammy tells Willie, "you can use your sister--or the baseball game--to beat you down or build you up. But remember: every moment of your life is you. ou say you can never have that moment, or your sister, again. I say you'll always have them. They're part of what makes you Wilie Weaver." (162) Analyze this quotation and effect that it has on Willie's perspective. How does this piece of advice change the way that Willie's views his life and his experiences?

Essay Topic 3

How might Willie's experience have been different if he had made it to San Francisco instead of getting stuck in Oakland?

(see the answer keys)

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