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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. What is the final tally in the vote regarding Rufus joining the Moors?

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

3. What does Rufus tell his mother he really wants to become?

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

5. In their initial contact, where does Alex Robbins ask the Moors to meet him later that same evening?

Short Essay Questions

1. What procedure do the Moors members follow in allowing Rufus Henry into their gang?

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

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

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. 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?

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

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

9. 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?

10. 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?

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

Frank Bonham uses a literary archetype in the fight scene between Rufus Henry and Bantu. That is, Rufus as the noble warrior only hurting his opponent as necessary. Elaborate on Bonham's use of this technique. Consider why Rufus avoids use of a knife. What are the legal aspects? What position does emerging from the confrontation as the winner without inflicting severe harm symbolize? What does Rufus come out from the fight as in terms of leadership? What is Rufus truly deserving of from his fellow Moors?

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)

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