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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 the teacher in the class in #21 ask the students to do?

2. Who tells Brittany that she should not worry about Carmen?

3. Why does Alex nearly start a fight with one of the soccer players?

4. Why does Brittany rush home after practice?

5. What is Brittany's mother's tone toward Brittany?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the nature of the initial hostility between Alex and Brittany?

2. Why does Alex need Isabel's help regarding Brittany at the beach?

3. What does Brittany begin to realize about Alex that shows her that they have more in common than she thought?

4. Why does Alex join a gang and sacrifice any chances of going to college?

5. Why is Alex's bet with his friends an especially challenging one?

6. What does Alex do as a result of Brittany's mother's dismissive behavior toward him?

7. What unusual technique does the author use regarding point of view in this book?

8. Who is the teacher who shows some interest interest in Alex and his future?

9. What does Brittany do after Colin pushes her to have sex on the beach?

10. What does Brittany's mother's treatment of Alex indicate about how different his life is from Brittany's?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Violence takes on an almost human persona in this book. What was the source of the violence? How pervasive was the violence among the gangs? What is this literary technique called? Cite examples that support this position.

Essay Topic 2

Elkeles is a master at dramatic devices. Choose an example of symbolism, metaphors, and irony, and then briefly describe them and identify the technique which they embody.

Essay Topic 3

Create a character study of Alex. What are his physical characteristics? What are his motivations? What are his fears? What are his dreams? What else can you say about Alex?

(see the answer keys)

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