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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. After going to the guidance office, where does Rusty-James go when he leaves school?

2. What does Rusty-James have running down his side?

3. Why does Rusty-James slam his fist onto the table?

4. What does Rusty-James do the morning after he has gone to the lake with Smokey?

5. What does Rusty-James' father give him?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to Rusty-James when he is frisked by the police?

2. What is the importance of delaying the appearance of Motorcycle Boy until the third chapter?

3. What sets Motorcycle Boy apart from the others?

4. Why does Rusty-James not understand the conversation his father and Motorcycle Boy have about Cassandra?

5. What does Rusty-James mean when he says that Motorcycle Boy is living in a glass bubble?

6. Why does Motorcycle Boy's comment, "it looks like Rusty-James is always messed up, one way or the other," surprise Rusty-James?

7. Why does Rusty-James resent Steve's presence on the beach?

8. What does Rusty-James think about Biff's declaration that he is going to kill him?

9. In Chapter 3, what does the apartment reveal about Rusty-James' family?

10. Why does Smokey believe he would be president of a gang and Rusty-James would be a lieutenant?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Abuse and neglect is very much a part of "Rumble Fish." Compare and contrast how Rusty-James and Steve each react to the abuse and neglect they incur on the part of their parents, people who are charged with taking care of them. Find descriptions from the text to support your answer and to provide evidence for your opinion.

Essay Topic 2

Explain why, and how, Rusty-James succeeds in reaching his goal of becoming like his brother, Motorcycle Boy, by novel's end. Find descriptions from the text to support your answer and to provide evidence for your opinion.

Essay Topic 3

What is the significance of Steve's being on vacation, going to school, and having a steady girlfriend at the onset of the novel? Find descriptions from the text to support your answer and to provide evidence for your opinion.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 591 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample