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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. In Part I of the book, McCall reveals that the reason he starts to steal is not for anything he needs but rather for what?

2. In Chapter 22, McCall comes to realize that many blacks feel education has nothing to do with them so they do what?

3. In Chapter 23, McCall is considering a career in either journalism or what?

4. In Chapter 2, readers find that the new black housing development is separated from the poor white neighborhood by what?

5. In Chapter 20, McCall is hurt when the mother of his son announces she is doing what?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 5, how is McCall affected after being caught shoplifting?

2. What happens with Plaz and how is McCall's stepfather involved?

3. While driving around after graduation and not finding place to meet up with friends, what does McCall mean when he cites this driving around as an analogy of his life at this point?

4. Early in Part I of the book, McCall presents his "understanding" about white people which is what?

5. What scam do Elisabeth and McCall run in Chapter 15?

6. From Chapter 23, how does McCall's behavior indicate his new found realization that he needs to take actions for the long term?

7. According to McCall in Chapter 6, why does he expect that his mother should have talked to her boys about sex?

8. McCall describes his experience with a "train" being run on someone he cares about. How does McCall feel about this and what leads up to this event?

9. How does McCall respond after going to a party in a hostile neighborhood unarmed with his friends and losing one of their own after fleeing shots from rival group?

10. In Chapter 22, why is McCall hurt by his friends' actions while he is in prison?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Looking at Part III of the book, highlight examples of McCall's race sensitivity as well as when he let it overcome him and when he stepped back and did not let it cloud his decisions.

Essay Topic 2

How does Stanley's visit and the resulting scenes and events in McCall's life facilitate McCall's decision to leave behind drug use from this point forward? How does this turning point reflect other changes that occurred in McCall's life during this time as well (family, career)?

Essay Topic 3

In Part I of the book there are several instances that support the theme of juvenile invincibility that is felt by a young McCall and and his friends. Discuss this theme and provide details from Part I that illustrate this feeling of invincibility among McCall and other young boys described by McCall during this part of his life. What were the more effective glimpses into this mentality provided by McCall in this part of the book and why?

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