View a FREE sample

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 the boys' attacks during his initiation until what?

2. After the Moors' initial contact with Alex Robbins, Rufus tells them to show up at the crafts center how?

3. The carload of Gassers youths all have red hair as a result of what?

4. Who convinces the other Moors members to allow him to speak as their representative to Alex Robbins?

5. The grocery owner tells Rufus to do what as he stalls?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Rufus Henry offers to purchase groceries using the money he has been given upon leaving Pine Valley, what is his mother's response?

2. 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?

3. While still at the crafts center, what is Rufus Henry's response when Alex Robbins suggests the Moors elect a president for their social club?

4. 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?

5. Why is the house in the Durango Housing Project not one in which Rufus Henry will feel at home?

6. 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?

7. How is it that Rufus Henry displays his practical side when initially encountering the Gassers gang?

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

9. 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?

10. 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?

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

What are the ways in which Frank Bonham demonstrates that Rufus Henry's maintenance of an emotionless façade is critical to him? How are sunglasses a significant symbol in this story? In what fashion does Rufus unnerve his opponents in fights? Why does Rufus attempt to hide his appreciation of Ernie Brown as a football hero, although the other youths are clearly his fans?

Essay Topic 3

Explain why Rufus Henry joins the Moors gang when his parole officer, Ed Travers, has advised him that one stipulation of Rufus' parole is that he is required to stay unassociated with any gangs. Is it a necessary move on Rufus' part? What negative impact might it have? What alternate routes might Rufus have taken?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,284 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample