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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 does Rusty-James have running down his side?

2. Who ispresent at the fight five years ago when Rusty-James got his scar?

3. What does Patty do when a girl flirts with Rusty-James?

4. What relationship does Biff have with Rusty-James' friends?

5. What does Rusty-James do to help himself feel better?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is implied by the fact that Motorcycle Boy has not always been color blind?

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

3. Why does Rusty-James like the ocean?

4. In Chapter 2, with what does Steve try to get Rusty-James to confront and deal?

5. What sets Motorcycle Boy apart from the others?

6. Why does Rusty-James dislike Cassandra?

7. Why is Rusty-James expelled from school?

8. Why does Rusty-James not understand that Patty is mad that he fooed around with another girl at the lake?

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

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

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

Explain how the author's word choices for Rusty-James' dialogue provide authenticity to the novel. Does it endear Rusty-James' to the reader? What does it reveal about the character, his background, and environment? Find descriptions from the text to support your answer and to provide evidence for your opinion.

Essay Topic 3

Rusty-James is the protagonist of "Rumble Fish." He may also be an anti-hero. Do you think he is a protagonist or anti-hero? Find descriptions from the text to support your answer and to provide evidence for your opinion.

(see the answer keys)

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