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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What did the woman do to the man whose Intervale Avenue apartment burned in Chapter 7?
(a) She pointed a gun at him.
(b) She threw a lamp at him.
(c) She went after him with a knife.
(d) She went after him with a machete.

2. Why was Smith concerned about striking for better working conditions?
(a) He was afraid the other firefighters would split over the strike.
(b) He was afraid he would be punished by being transferred even farther from his home.
(c) He was afraid that the neighborhood would not be safe during a strike.
(d) He was afraid he would be fired.

3. After years of "carrying death in my hands," what did Smith see firefighting as lacking?
(a) Security.
(b) Glamor.
(c) Stability.
(d) High pay.

4. What did Smith see in Fireman Billy-o as he held the baby who died in the fire?
(a) Despair.
(b) Depression.
(c) Hatred.
(d) His humanity.

5. Why did Smith say he disagreed with fellow firefighters' prejudices, but also understood them?
(a) Firefighting is most difficult and dangerous in poor, minority areas
(b) They do not live in the neighborhoods they serve.
(c) They are more poorly paid than firefighters in white areas.
(d) The only minorities they encounter are criminals.

6. What job did Smith take when he quit high school?
(a) Delivering for a Chinese restaurant.
(b) Delivering flowers.
(c) Delivering food.
(d) Driving a cab.

7. What did the naked man on Southern Boulevard wield as a weapon?
(a) A handgun.
(b) A baseball bat.
(c) A butcher knife.
(d) A whip.

8. Why was Pat, Dennis' wife, willing to accept his remaining in a dangerous profession?
(a) She knew his job was stable.
(b) She knew his salary would steadily increase and support the family.
(c) She was proud that her husband was brave.
(d) She knew he was doing what he thought was right for the whole family.

9. Why did the firemen call for police assistance while battling the Fox Street fire in Chapter 8?
(a) They were attacked with garbage cans and iron balls.
(b) Residents were screaming at the firemen.
(c) There were people fighting in the street.
(d) There were looters in the area.

10. How many shots did the police officer fire at the fleeing youth in front of the fire station in Chapter 6?
(a) Three.
(b) Five.
(c) Two.
(d) One.

11. How did Smith's attitude toward cockroaches change as an adult?
(a) He used to fear them; now he simply hates them.
(b) His attitude does not change and he continues to fear them.
(c) He used to fear them; now he resents them.
(d) He used to fear them; now he sees that they are part of the lancscape.

12. What did Smith foresee when he first applied to become a firefighter?
(a) Stability and security.
(b) A high salary.
(c) An uneventful job.
(d) A chance to make a difference.

13. What is the Irish way of making tea, as described by Smith in Chapter 7?
(a) Black tea with sugar.
(b) Cream and sugar.
(c) Black tea plain.
(d) Half tea and half milk.

14. Why did the Fire Department persist in holding parties for children who regularly harassed firefighters?
(a) They hoped to make it easier to catch the pranksters.
(b) They were trying to build bridges within the community.
(c) They were required to do so by neighborhood officials.
(d) They were required to do so by the city officials.

15. How did Smith view the fire department's amusement park trip for neighborhood children?
(a) He believed it improved relations and made the children less likely to pull false alarms.
(b) He believed most of the children were cynical about the trip.
(c) He believed it was ultimately a waste of time.
(d) He believed the kids who attended were not the ones who needed help the most.

Short Answer Questions

1. What free perk did New York firemen get?

2. What disease did one of the firefighters contract?

3. Why was Dennis upset about the visit from the welfare inspector?

4. Why were the five adults and two children unable to escape the burning building?

5. What was the cause of the fire the men responded to at Union and 166th Street in Chapter 10?

(see the answer keys)

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