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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. Rufus manages to hold his own against Bantu, forcing him to drop his knife, and then what?

2. Upon learning Leeroy is the Moors' new president, Bantu does what?

3. When Rufus asks his mother if she was really married to Ernie Brown, what is her response?

4. At his new job repairing tires, Rufus does not like it when the boss, Mr. Wells, does what?

5. While holding the broken bottle in defense, what does Rufus say he is demanding the Gassers' car keys for?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is it that members of the Gassers gang all have the same hair color?

2. After the police officer who pulls them over for questioning lets them go, what does Rufus Henry tell his sister as they continue to the grocery?

3. How is it that Rufus Henry becomes leader of the Moors?

4. Before leaving the crafts center, how does Rufus Henry manage to embarrass himself when Alex Robbins attempts to find out if the Moors have an interest in watching the Marauders practice?

5. Why is it that Rufus Henry intentionally ruins tires he is working on at his new job in the repair shop?

6. En route to the store, what quickly happens when Rufus Henry and his sister encounter a carload of gang members?

7. How does Rufus Henry deal with Idell subsequent to Rufus' fight with Bantu Motley?

8. In Chapters 4-6, how is it that author Frank Bonham focuses upon crafting Rufus Henry's character?

9. Later on the evening that Rufus Henry accepts membership into the Moors gang, why is it that Ed Travers makes a call on Rufus' behalf?

10. What happens when Rufus Henry learns that Ernie Brown will soon join the Marauders?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

How do the violent events that transpire in the early part of Frank Bonham's novel compare with those in the concluding chapters? What is the mood the author has set by the conclusion of the novel? Is Rufus Henry comfortable in his selecting correct action versus gang violence? How does the protagonist appear to feel as he makes future plans with his mother and Alex Robbins in the final scene?

Essay Topic 3

In the passage Frank Bonham presents in Chapters 22-24, the main subplot of Durango Street takes focus. What is Rufus Henry inclined to believe when his mother, earlier in the story, tells him a news article has gotten Ernie Brown's hometown wrong? What happens after he meets Ernie in terms of receiving no special treatment? What transpires once the connection between Rufus and Ernie is revealed to be untrue? Why would she make such a story up? Once Rufus' connection with Ernie is exposed to be false, Rufus recognizes he must do what?

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