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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. Which character's face is beaten into a bloody pulp by Rusty-James in the fight in the lot?

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

3. What is the name of the skinny, tall kid who tells Rusty-James that Biff is going to kill him?

4. To what is Rusty-James referring when he says, "...Just one...I like to keep things simple, and God knows even one can be complicated enough."

5. Why does Rusty-James not want to talk about the good old days?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Rusty-James settle his problems?

2. Why is Motorcycle Boy's explanation about why Rusty-James does not like to be alone an eye opening experience for Rusty-James?

3. Why does Rusty-James dislike Cassandra?

4. Why does Rusty-James steal hubcaps?

5. Why is Patterson watching Rusty-James and Motorcycle Boy when they leave the drugstore?

6. Why does Rusty-James feel that gangs are good despite what Steve and Motorcycle Boy tell him?

7. Why does Rusty-James believe all the people he cares about "talk about weird things?"

8. Why does Rusty-James leave at midnight to go out with Smokey and his cousin?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the importance of Rusty-James' knife scar? Why is this an important detail about his character? Find descriptions from the text to support your answer and to provide evidence for your opinion.

Essay Topic 2

The theme of alienation is prevalent throughout the novel. Select one of the major characters and explain how they experience alienation, and in what manner. 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.

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This section contains 581 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample