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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. Bonham shows that an unsafe environment can lead teens into gang violence as they group together for what purpose?

2. When the Gassers surround Rufus in an alley, Rufus breaks a bottle of ________ to defend himself with the glass.

3. Mr. Rubio inquires how Rufus feels about his father, and gets what reply?

4. After settling alone in his room, Rufus makes sure his Ernie Brown scrapbook is where?

5. What is Pine Valley Honor Camp?

Short Essay Questions

1. What transpires when Rufus Henry initially meets up with the other Moors members at the crafts room at the Walnut Street playground to meet Alex Robbins?

2. In the weekly conversation that social worker Mr. Rubio has with Rufus Henry where they discuss his Ernie Brown scrapbook, what news does he relay to Rufus?

3. What Is Rufus Henry's recollection of his mother first telling him about her marriage to Ernie Brown?

4. At the beginning of the novel, during his weekly meeting with Rufus Henry, how does social worker Mr. Rubio attempt to let Rufus know he is aware of his Ernie Brown scrapbook?

5. How is it that Rufus Henry is let into the Moors gang after the president of the gang initially says no to his request?

6. At the beginning of Durango Street, what is it Rufus Henry's parole officer, Ed Travers, initially ensures?

7. Once safe at home following his confrontation with the Gassers in the alley, what is his mother's response when Rufus Henry asks her about her first marriage?

8. Why is Rufus Henry nervous about going to the Durango Housing Project?

9. How does Rufus Henry remain safe when the members of the Gassers gang surround him in the alley?

10. How does the knife fight between Bantu Motley and Rufus Henry proceed?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain how the rifle is central within Chapters 25-27. How does Willie get the rifle Rufus Henry instructs him to obtain? What problem does Henry encounter with the gun when initially attempting to shoot it? How does Rufus inform Willie he is to resolve the matter? What plan of action does Rufus tell the Moors he intends for them to take with the weapon? What causes Rufus to change his mind regarding this plan? What steps does he take to avoid executing his plan?

Essay Topic 2

Why is it that the Moors youths do not initially trust social worker Alex Robbins from the Group Service Council? Do they recognize that he understands the boys' fears? Do they understand that he means to be helpful? How do they display their distrust? Consider how positive attention, coming from this fatherly figure, surprises youths having no fathers in the picture.

Essay Topic 3

Spell out why sections cut from a hose and filled with sand represent for Rufus Henry a powerful symbol. How do empty hose pieces reflect caution on his part? How do sand-filled hose sections depict lack of caution on the part of his fellow gang members? Why does Rufus turn Judy Williams and Nonie Emrey away when they offer assistance? What is Rufus fearful of?

(see the answer keys)

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