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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. When Kody is outside the store he wants to rob, he is approached by several men. How old are these men?

2. What gang is Kody's nurse's son in?

3. Who is Li'l Hunchy?

4. What television show does Kody watch when gets home after the bike incident?

5. What surprises Kody after the shooting at the store?

Short Essay Questions

1. What actions from this chapter illustrate Kody's violence?

2. In the chapter "Ambush," Kody talks about how gang members are treated. What does he say about how did the gang members treat each other?

3. How does Kody's mother continue to show support for her son after he is released from jail and shot in the back?

4. While in jail, Kody realizes that he needs to be strong with or without a weapon. How does Kody prepare himself to fight without a gun?

5. Describe Kody's relationship with his hospital nurse.

6. In the chapter, "Can't Stop, Won't Stop, Kody finds himself in jail. How does Kody show his strength as a leader even in jail?

7. Describe the circumstances that result in Kody's acquittal after he is arrested for murder in the summer of 1981.

8. By the time Kody tries to rob the Western Surplus store, how powerful has he become in the Tray Eights gang?

9. When in the hospital for getting shot in the back, how does Kody view his own life and mortality?

10. In the chapter, "The Juvenile Tank" Kody deals with a lot of violence. How does these events begin to change Kody's thoughts about his gang life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain Kody's mother's role in her sons' lives. Both Kody and Kershaun are heavily involved in gangs. She never seemed to break through to Kody, who did not respect her wishes for him to leave the gang.

Essay Topic 2

Kody is a very complex person who goes through many changes in his young life. Explain how Kody changes from when the reader first meets him in 6th grade until where his story ends (for now). In your answer, be sure to use text evidence to support these changes. Questions to think about include: How do Kody relationships change with different people in his life? How does Kody's thinking and involvement with gangs change?

Essay Topic 3

Kody has a moral awakening over the years, which begins when he meets Muhammad. Describe his relationship with Muhammad and how he has a lasting influence on Kody's life. Use specific examples from throughout the text to support your response.

(see the answer keys)

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