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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 Piri not want to work with Danny and Billy?

2. Who does Piri hear is in hospital?

3. What does Waneko's mother wipe Piri's face with?

4. What will Brew and Piri have to do when they cross the Mason-Dixon line?

5. What do the prisoners call Ricardo?

Short Essay Questions

1. What story does Brew tell Piri?

2. How does the prison guard, Casey, react to Piri and Little fighting?

3. Why does Rocky want to fight with Piri?

4. What is Piri's sentence for shooting the policeman and for the robbery?

5. Describe the system the gang uses to rob bars and stores.

6. What tragedy occurs when Piri returns to New York?

7. Describe the argument between Piri and his brother, Jose.

8. Why must Piri and Brew sit at the back of the bus?

9. What are Piri and Brew's plans in Section 5?

10. What does Piri's father tell him in at breakfast in Section 5?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look at the structure of the book.

1) Discuss elements of the narrative structure: exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the book's ideas?

2) Examine the way Piri uses other people in the story to express his ideas.

Essay Topic 2

Why has gang culture become such a big part of life in the poorer areas of America? Why does Piri feel he needs to be part of a gang?

Essay Topic 3

What major events had a profound affect on Piri's life? How did they change him?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 833 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample