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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. How old does Rusty-James say Steve behaves?

2. What does Rusty-James buy at Benny's in Chapter 2?

3. After leaving Cassandra on the stairs, Rusty-James goes into his apartment and finds Motorcycle Boy doing what?

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

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Rusty-James upset that Steve has been beaten up?

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

3. What is the importance of Rusty-James losing his taste for alcohol?

4. Why is Rusty-James frightened when Motorcycle Boy smiles after he tells him the picture was a good one?

5. Why does Rusty-James dislike Cassandra?

6. Why does it take Rusty-James longer than he thought to forget about Motorcycle Boy's death?

7. What does Rusty-James' father mean when he says, "Our marriage was a classic example of a preacher marrying an atheist, thinking to make a convert?"

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

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

10. Why is it important for Rusty-James' friends to go to the vacant lot to watch him fight Biff?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

How does the author's methods at the beginning of the novel set the tone?

Part 1) How does Steve's arrival promote the tone of the novel at the beginning?

Part 2) How does Steve's mentioning Rusty-James' resemblance to someone enhance the tone set forth at the onset of the novel?

Part 3) How does Rusty-James' forgetfulness set up the suspense?

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

Essay Topic 3

Underage drinking, gambling, and smoking are a part of Rusty-James' everyday life. Analyze how these events alter Rusty-James' life and impact his interaction with those around him. How do these indulgences derail his life? Find descriptions from the text to support your answer and to provide evidence for your opinion.

(see the answer keys)

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