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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. How old is Motorcycle Boy?

3. What does the lot in Chapter 3 smell like?

4. What does Rusty-James find to eat in the apartment?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Steve worry about everyone coming to witness the fight between Rusty-James and Biff?

2. What does ordering chocolate milk from the counter at Benny's say about Rusty-James?

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

4. What does Motorcycle Boy mean when he tells Steve, "loyalty is his only vice?"

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

6. Why does Rusty-James steal hubcaps?

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

8. What is the significance of Motorcycle Boy's comparing the gang violence to playing "Cowboys and Indians?"

9. What is the significance of Rusty-James' paying back money he has borrowed?

10. Why is it important for Rusty-James to be with crowds of people?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Rusty-James and Steve are best friends. Compare and contrast how each character reacts to violence and living in the neighborhood.

Part 1) Compare how Rusty-James and Steve react to violence and living in the poverty-stricken neighborhood.

Part 2) Contrast how Rusty-James and Steve behave at the at the fight with Biff.

Find descriptions from the text to support your answer and to provide evidence for your opinion.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 573 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample