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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 did firefighters find at the scene of the fire at the Kelly Street apartments?

2. Why was one of the firefighters upset about the Vietnam War protesters?

3. Why did the men take turns manning the hose while battling the apartment building fire in Chapter 5?

4. What did the firefighters find on Freeman Street during one of the calls in Chapter 3?

5. To what experience does Smith compare his work for the fire department in the Introduction?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was Dennis Smith's main concern about writing about his fellow firefighters?

2. Why was Smith reminded of the sun when he entered the burning room on Forest Avenue in Chapter 5?

3. How did the attack on Firefighter Nick Riso (a brick was thrown at him in Chapter 3) make Smith feel?

4. In reflecting on the boys who chanted hate-filled slogans at the firefighters in Chapter 4, Smith reflects that "people don't hate other people." What does he mean by that?

5. How does the fire department announce the death of a fellow firefighter in the line of duty?

6. During a raging fire, Smith imagines neighbors serving coffee and food to the firefighters. Why does he think this is an impossibility in New York City?

7. Besides the risks to firefighters, what does Dennis Smith believe is a real risk of malicious false alarms?

8. In what ways does Smith view the old-style machine politics as preferable to the current system?

9. How did the other firefighters look at Artie, the firefighter with the beard and degree in sociology?

10. What did the firemen mean by the term "tough shit" during their discussion of the arson fire in Chapter 1?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Although willing to run into burning buildings, Smith was nevertheless unhinged by the sight of cockroaches and was unable to remain in a roach-infested room for long. What images were conveyed to Smith by the sight of the roaches and why was he unable to ignore them? How did his knowledge of cockroaches provide him with a deeper understanding of the conditions in which the South Bronx residents live?

Essay Topic 2

Firefighters work long shifts that require them to both sleep and eat meals at the station. How does Smith demonstrate that this enforced closeness with fellow firefighters encourages a sense of brotherhood? Did the cooking and sharing of meals among the men of Engine Co. 82 foster a unique relationship that was missing in other professions? Is there a unique value in seeing your fellow firefighters at their best and their worst (i.e., grumpy before morning coffee, poor hygiene, an issue Smith addresses in the book) throughout the day? Does this help explain the fierce loyalty described by Smith?

Essay Topic 3

Smith reveals a particular contempt for people who steal from their fellow poor and mentions that he himself shoplifted from fancy stores as a child, but would never have stolen from a neighbor. What do you think about this attitude? Is it acceptable for the poor to steal from stores? Does shoplifting have an effect only on the store owner or does the effect trickle down to the entire community? Should the punishments be different depending upon whom the victim is?

(see the answer keys)

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