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. After being battered by storms for three days, what did Hamilton order Gantos to follow?

2. Jack Gantos's father helped secure him a job as __________ in San Juan.

3. How much money did Rik offer Gantos to help Hamilton bring hash from St. Croix in Section 2, Chapter 1?

4. What is the name of the hotel where Gantos found himself living during his senior year in high school?

5. What is a literary device in which an author indistinctly suggests certain plot developments that might come later in the story?

Short Essay Questions

1. What presentation does Gantos describe at his school in Section 1, Chapter 3? What did he make of it?

2. What was the second business deal Gantos made with Rik in Section 2, Chapter 1? Why did he take the offer?

3. Describe the beginning of Gantos's journey in Section 2, Chapter 2. Where did he first sail?

4. Where did Gantos's father take the family and point out criminals to Gantos?

5. How does Gantos describe his journal and its divisions in Section 1, Chapter 3?

6. How does the author describe the cover photo from the book in Section 1, Chapter 1? What circumstances does he relate which caused his acne?

7. What led Hamilton and Gantos to follow the Coast Guard in Section 2, Chapter 3?

8. What did Gantos and Rik pack in the crate? How was Gantos paid?

9. How does the author describe St. Croix upon his arrival in Section 2, Chapter 1?

10. How is Gantos's lack of experience illustrated in Section 2, Chapter 3? How is Hamilton's experience illustrated?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and analyze the figure of Tim Scanlon in the narrative. From where did Gantos know Scanlon? What influence did Scanlon have on Gantos? How did Gantos feel about him? What plan did Scanlon present in order to potentially "help" Gantos?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Gantos's first experiences with marijuana in high school. What did Gantos think of the party he attended? When did marijuana come into popular use in the United States? How prevalent was it during Gantos's youth in Florida?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and discuss the figure of Rik in the narrative and Gantos' agreement to smuggle the hash into New York. How did Gantos feel about the dangers he faced? Why did he choose to make the risk? What did he hope to attain in escaping St. Croix?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 987 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample