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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. Who does Rufus threaten directly in the alley while defending himself with the broken bottle by putting the glass shard toward this individual's chest?

2. What does Rufus agree to spray-paint on the front door of the Cathedral Heights police station?

3. The other Moors members, who all had been beaten by Bantu when they joined the gang, now seem what?

4. After the cop finishes questioning Rufus and his sister, what does Rufus do?

5. In studying their file, Alex Robbins learns how many of the Moors have their fathers supporting them?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. In the opening chapters, what type of picture does author Frank Bonham paint of Rufus Henry's new environment in the Durango Housing Project?

5. 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?

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

7. 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?

8. What are some of the things Alex Robbins from the Group Service Council learns upon studying the Moors' police file on the morning following the call he receives from Ed Travers?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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?

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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