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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. Alfred learns that who used to train as a boxer in Chapter 10?

2. What is the name of Mr. Donatelli's assistant in the novel?

3. In the beginning of Chapter 2, when Alfred wakes up, he is where?

4. In Chapter 2, Alfred wishes he could just stay in his bed until he is 18 when he can go do what?

5. Alfred is told by the boys on his stoop that he has until how long to decide whether to help them in Chapter 8?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Alfred feel about the actions of James in Chapter 1? Why?

2. How does the author show the differences of the world of television from Alfred's life in Chapter 2?

3. What does Alfred recall about his childhood and James in Chapter 7?

4. Where is Alfred in the beginning of Chapter 1? Where does he go to look for James? How does Alfred feel about James?

5. Who is James with when Alfred finds him in Chapter 1? What are these characters like?

6. Who encounters Alfred and encourages him to stay at the gym in Chapter 6? What does this character tell him?

7. What does Alfred do when the boys go to rob the store in Chapter 1? Where and why does he go to look for James?

8. What do Major and his gang tell Alfred when he arrives home in Chapter 8? What is Alfred's response?

9. Who intercepts Alfred on his way home following the robbery in Chapter 1? What news does Alfred learn?

10. How does Alfred feel about his friendship with James in Chapter 10? What effect does this have on his training?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss heroin and addiction in the novel. Who introduced James to heroin in the novel? How has the relationship between Alfred and James evolved in the narrative? How long have Alfred and James known one another?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and analyze the character of Mr. Epstein in "The Contender". How does Alfred feel about his boss? How long have Alfred and Mr. Epstein known one another? What is Mr. Epstein's history in the boxing world?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the setting of Jamaica, Queens, and the characters of Wilson and Alfred's aunt. How close is Alfred to his extended family? How does this setting differ from Harlem? How does Aunt Pearl feel about her extended family?

(see the answer keys)

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