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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. Who shuffles papers as if Rusty-James is wasting his time?

2. What kind of story is "Rumble Fish?"

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

4. Around midnight, what does Rusty-James do with Smokey and his cousins?

5. When Patty breaks up with Rusty-James, what happens to his chest?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. In Chapter 7, why is Rusty-James afraid of Motorcycle Boy?

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

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

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

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

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

8. How does Rusty-James settle his problems?

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

10. In Chapter 10, why does Rusty-James believe that everything has changed?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Interpret the meaning of Motorcycle Boy's comment that he "never crossed the river" when asked if he saw the ocean in California. How does this exemplify the Motorcycle Boy's life choices? 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

Steve is Rusty-James' best friend and confidante, but he is also Rusty-James' foil. Explain how Steve is the opposite of, or the foil to, Rusty-James' character.

(see the answer keys)

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