View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. Why was Dennis upset about the visit from the welfare inspector?
(a) He thought his friends would see the inspector and he was ashamed about being poor.
(b) The inspector spoke to his mother harshly.
(c) He was afraid the family would be denied more benefits.
(d) He was afraid the inspector would find the hidden television.

3. Approximately how many children were at the ice cream party in Chapter 9?
(a) 250.
(b) 120.
(c) 200.
(d) 300.

4. How must firefighters find the rewards in their profession?
(a) They must seek rewards from their fellow firefighters.
(b) There are no rewards in the profession.
(c) They must look to society's veneration of firefighters.
(d) They must seek them out each in his own way.

5. What was Billy O'Mann griping about when talking about empty lots near the fire station?
(a) He thought new buildings should be constructed on the lots.
(b) He thought parks should be built in the lots.
(c) He thought the station should be expanded onto those lots.
(d) He thought the city should allow firefighters to park there so their cars do not get stolen.

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

7. For which radical group was the group of Park Avenue residents raising money in the magazine article read by Smith in Chapter 7?
(a) Black Panthers.
(b) Symbionese Liberation Army.
(c) Students for a Democratic Society.
(d) Gray Panthers.

8. What free perk did New York firemen get?
(a) Free rides on the subway.
(b) Free clothes.
(c) Free taxi rides.
(d) Free admission to parks.

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

10. Who was temporarily in charge while Captain Albergray was on vacation in Chapter 10?
(a) Lieutenant Collins.
(b) Lieutenant Stack.
(c) Bill Valenzio.
(d) Artie Merritt.

11. How much did the air pack weigh that Fireman Bill Kelsey put on his back while responding to the Southern Boulevard fire call in Chapter 8?
(a) Forty pounds.
(b) Twenty pounds.
(c) Twenty-five pounds.
(d) Thirty pounds.

12. How did being interviewed by Cynthia affect Smith's mood in Chapter 9?
(a) He was confused about the future of local children.
(b) He was not affected at all.
(c) He was depressed because he saw nothing but heartache for Cynthia.
(d) He was encouraged that there were decent, hardworking kids in South Bronx.

13. What ethnic group was now predominate in the formerly Irish neighborhood in which Smith grew up?
(a) Dominicans.
(b) Puerto Ricans.
(c) Blacks.
(d) Chinese.

14. What holiday was being celebrated on Smith's day off in Chapter 7?
(a) Easter.
(b) Memorial Day.
(c) Fourth of July.
(d) Labor Day.

15. What did the welfare inspector recommend to the welfare agency after the visit?
(a) He recommended a decrease in benefits when he saw the television.
(b) He recommended no change in benefits.
(c) He recommended an increase in benefits so the family could have more to eat.
(d) He recommended an increase in benefits so that the children could get winter coats.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where did Smith take the application test?

2. How many men competed for firemen positions that day?

3. Why did the Fire Department persist in holding parties for children who regularly harassed firefighters?

4. Why did Smith not eat hamburgers when fellow firefighters prepared them for the station dinner?

5. What three jobs did the nuns at Smith's school tell the students they could aspire to?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 662 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample