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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. To which publication did Dennis Smith write a letter that caught the attention of editors?
(a) Washington Post.
(b) New York Times.
(c) Time magazine.
(d) New York Times Book Review.

2. Who was responsible for the fire at the Kelly Street apartments?
(a) One of the renters.
(b) A disgruntled employee.
(c) Someone with a grudge against a resident.
(d) The landlord.

3. Which writer once suggested that the story finds the author?
(a) Katherine Anne Porter.
(b) Sarah Orne Jewett..
(c) Charlotte Gilman.
(d) Shirley Jackson.

4. Why does Smith say there are fewer fires today compared to the period during which he served?
(a) The wider use of fire extinguishers has led to small fires being put out before the fire trucks arrive.
(b) Fire safety codes have made buildings less prone to fire.
(c) There is more intolerance for crime, and radicalism has decreased.
(d) The population has decreased and there are more empty buildings.

5. What was wrong with the furnace room where the firefighters retreated for warmth during the Charlotte Street fire?
(a) It was filled with cockroaches.
(b) The furnace was not working.
(c) It was filled with mice.
(d) The roof had caved in.

6. What kind of test was Fireman Benny Carroll studying for in Chapter 3?
(a) Chief's exam.
(b) Lieutenant's exam.
(c) Fire Marshal's exam.
(d) Captain's exam.

7. On what street did the firefighters respond to a large fire in Chapter 5?
(a) Broad Street.
(b) Charlotte Street.
(c) Campanella Avenue.
(d) Carlotti Street.

8. What was the Kelly Street apartment landlord charged with after the fire?
(a) He was not charged.
(b) One count of murder.
(c) One count of arson.
(d) Two counts of murder.

9. What options did the firefighters have when they were trapped between the two blazes at the factory building?
(a) They could jump out the windows or climb to the roof.
(b) They had no options.
(c) They could wait for another team to arrive or jump out the window.
(d) They could all focus on one fire or split up and tackle both.

10. Why did the men take turns manning the hose while battling the apartment building fire in Chapter 5?
(a) To get a break from the cold weather.
(b) Because some of them were in training.
(c) Because they were physically tired.
(d) Because they were sleepy.

11. How did Smith remember details for the book while working full-time?
(a) By writing daily.
(b) By dictating into a tape recorder.
(c) Byinterviewing fellow firefighters,
(d) By simply relying on his memory.

12. How was Fireman Nick Riso injured while responding to a call?
(a) He was injured in a fire.
(b) He was involved in a car accident.
(c) He suffered smoke inhalation.
(d) Someone threw a brick at him while he was responding to a call.

13. What happened to several firefighters (including Smith) fighting a blaze at a two-story factory building?
(a) A fire broke out behind them.
(b) The windows began breaking.
(c) The floor gave away.
(d) The roof caved in.

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

15. What happened to the young man seen running from the Kelly Street apartment?
(a) He fled and never went to the hospital.
(b) He was burned over 70 percent of his body.
(c) He made a full recovery.
(d) He was pronouced DOA at the hospital.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did Smith consider the most admirable characteristic of firefighters?

2. What field did Smith's wife want him to go into instead of firefighting?

3. Where on his body did Fireman Bill Kelsey get burned while battling the Charlotte Street blaze?

4. How did Smith's wife compare his job to that of a soldier's in Vietnam?

5. What is one example of a booby trap sometimes left by arsonists?

(see the answer keys)

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