View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Rusty-James get Patty to cool off when she finds out he is going to fight Biff?

2. Where has Rusty-James spent five years?

3. Whom does Steve want Rusty-James to meet?

4. What does Patty's mother do for a living?

5. What weapon does Biff bring to the fight?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the author create suspense?

2. Why does Rusty-James say that Coach Ryan likes him as he would a vicious dog?

3. What does Rusty-James do to make sure he is taken to the hospital by the police?

4. Why is Motorcycle Boy hard of hearing and color blind?

5. In Chapter 10, why does Rusty-James think that Patty still loves him?

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

7. What reason does Rusty-James give in Chapter 4 for going to school?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The role of women in "Rumble Fish" is one of disappointment and negativity. Select one of the female characters (e.g., Cassandra, Patty, Motorcycle Boy's and Rusty-James' mom,) and define how their representation is a reflection of Rusty-James' attitude. Find descriptions from the text to support your answer and to provide evidence for your opinion.

Essay Topic 2

What is the symbolism of Motorcycle Boy's color blindness? Explain how the author uses this handicap to reveal aspects of his character. Find descriptions from the text to support your answer and to provide evidence for your opinion.

Essay Topic 3

In"Rumble Fish," Rusty-James describes Steve as a sincere rabbit. What is the significance of the metaphor? What does it reveal about Steve as a character? What does the author want to convey about both Rusty-James and Steve? Find descriptions from the text to support your answer and to provide evidence for your opinion.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 607 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample