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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 is wearing _________ as he leaves Pine Valley.

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

3. Alex Robbins learns at the station that the members of the Moors range from age 15 to how old?

4. Before getting off the bus from Pine Valley, where is it Rufus imagines running away to?

5. Which two Moors members does Alex Robbins learn exhibit high potential?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. In the meeting following his fight with Bantu Motley, what does Rufus Henry suggest regarding how the Moors should deal with the Gassers?

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

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

6. 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?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

In Chapters 4-6, Frank Bonham focuses on characterization of Rufus Henry. What sort of definable character does Bonham craft Rufus into? How is he displayed to be a dreamer? How is he shown to have a strong practical side? How do Rufus' age and the environment he has come from come into play?

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