View a FREE sample

This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What do arsonists sometimes do when they leave the scene of a fire?
(a) They leave booby traps to hurt firefighters.
(b) They gather evidence of arson and take it away.
(c) They call the fire department anonymously.
(d) They do not call the fire department to report the fire.

2. Who was the second injured person found by firefighters at the Home and Simpson streets intersection, and how was he injured?
(a) A bystander mistaken for the driver and beaten.
(b) The boy's friend, who was also hit.
(c) The driver; he sustained the injuries in the accident.
(d) The driver; he had been beaten by the angry crowd.

3. What did the three men sitting on Charlotte Street do when they saw the kid pull the false alarm in Chapter 3?
(a) They called the police.
(b) They did nothing.
(c) They called the kid's parents.
(d) They chased the kid.

4. What were the "high incidence hours" that Tactical Control Unit 712 became responsible for?
(a) 6 p.m. and 4 a.m.
(b) Noon and 10 p.m.
(c) 3 p.m. and 1 a.m.
(d) 6 a.m. and 4 p.m.

5. Which captain entered the Kelly Street apartment first?
(a) Capt. Smith.
(b) Capt. O'Brien.
(c) Capt. Frimes.
(d) Capt. Solwen.

6. In Smith's description, how does the life of a firefighter differ from that of other city workers?
(a) They are the most respected of all city workers.
(b) They are the least respected of all city workers.
(c) When he leaves in the morning, he may not come home alive.
(d) They are the brave ones.

7. How many injured people were found in the Kelly Street apartment?
(a) Two.
(b) One.
(c) Three.
(d) Four.

8. What is the name of the institute started by Smith after publication of the book?
(a) Foundation for the Health and Safety of American Firefighters.
(b) Institute for the Study of Health and Fire Safety.
(c) American Firefighters Health and Safety Institute.
(d) Firefighters United for Health and Safety.

9. What is one example of a booby trap sometimes left by arsonists?
(a) Locked doors to trap firefighters.
(b) A piece of linoleum covering a hole in an upper floor.
(c) Gasoline cans that will explode as the fire spreads.
(d) Broken glass left on the floors.

10. What is the name of the national magazine started by Smith after writing the memoir?
(a) Firefighting Today.
(b) The Station.
(c) American Firefighter.
(d) Firehouse.

11. Why did Smith move outside the city after growing up there?
(a) He wanted to be closer to work.
(b) He had family in the area.
(c) He felt it was a better place for a family.
(d) His wife could be closer to her work.

12. Before discovering the culprit, how did Smith describe the fatal fire on Kelly Street?
(a) A tough break.
(b) A simple tragedy.
(c) A case of just desserts.
(d) A case of ironic justice.

13. What happened to Capt. Frimes at the Kelly Street fire?
(a) He was overcome with smoke and had to be pulled out.
(b) He was trapped by debris in the apartment.
(c) Nothing happened to him.
(d) He was burned by the fire.

14. Which magazine asked Smith to write about firefighters?
(a) True.
(b) Time.
(c) Life.
(d) Newsweek.

15. What did firefighters find at the scene of the fire at the Kelly Street apartments?
(a) Molotov cocktails.
(b) Three gas cans, pointing to arson.
(c) Faulty wiring.
(d) Burned food on a stove.

Short Answer Questions

1. In which borough did Smith serve?

2. Why do some kids pull false fire alarms, according to the book?

3. Which Irish writer did Smith discuss in his letter to the editor?

4. What injury did the young Hispanic boy suffer during the dinner time call to Home and Simpson streets?

5. How does Smith describe the racial characteristics of Washingtonville?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 672 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample