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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 does Jennica realize at Tariq's funeral?

2. What does Brick show especially to Sammy in Chapter 8?

3. How does Noodle feel after he speaks to the media about Tariq?

4. What is wrong with Sheila when Melody goes to see her in Chapter 8?

5. What does Steve Connors think about how his race has influenced his own life?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Tariq and Brick have in common that was the basis of their unique bond?

2. What makes Tyrell so sad about his memories of the day he and Tariq threw water balloons off the top of Tyrell's building?

3. What does Tina find in Tariq's room that she knows is dangerous and does not tell anyone about?

4. What activity does Tyrell remember as some of the best times he had with Tariq, Sammy, and Junior when they were younger?

5. What does Jennica say to the reporter who comes to the diner she works at to interview her the second time?

6. What does Melody do instead of going to Tariq's funeral?

7. How does Tina react when her estranged father Terrence Johnson comes to her apartment for the first time after Tariq's funeral?

8. Why does Junior feel animosity towards the Kings?

9. Why is Tyrell so scared on the way to the party Brick has forced him to go to with him and the other Kings?

10. What does Brick ask Sammy when he beckons Sammy to come to his bedroom and shows him all his weapons?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Magoon employs many different characters' perspectives in this novel, and she uses a unique voice for each character. Choose two characters with very different voices - for instance, Steve Connors and Noodle - and write an essay comparing and contrasting the specific language, tone, and style that Magoon employs for each.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay analyzing what conclusion Tyrell seems to come to at the end of the novel about whether or not Tariq was a member of the Kings and how that conclusion seems to affect his opinion of Tariq and of their friendship.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay analyzing the role that the older and elderly women like Rosalita and Redeema play in the larger community of Underhill following Tariq's death and the turmoil that follows from it, citing specific references to the text.

(see the answer keys)

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