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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 is Willie doing as he is rushed to the hospital?

2. How does Willie feel when he rides with his father on the motorcycle?

3. According to Willie, why does Jenny Blackburn always win when they race each other on bicycles?

4. How does Johnny Rivers feel about being a junior?

5. Where has Jenny Blackburn been for the two weeks before school begins?

Short Essay Questions

1. What evidence suggests that Jenny Blackburn is a match for Willie in both athleticism and competitiveness?

2. What details about the beginning of the novel establish the rest of the story as a flashback?

3. How does Sal Whitworth's comment about "I'm catching on..." affect Willie?

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

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

6. How does Johnny Rivers react to the news that Willie and Jenny are dating?

7. Why does Mr. Walker ask Willie to take over the job as team-manager for the girls' basketball team?

8. How has the death of Willie's sister affected the Weaver family?

9. How does Willie feel about his job as the manager for the girls' basketball team.

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 Lisa talks about Willie's accident, she refers to it as "you crippled yourself" as opposed to saying "you got crippled." Explain her reason for choosing to phrase it this way, and explain whether or not you agree with her perspective. Provide evidence from the novel to support your point.

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 970 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample