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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 does Alfred's aunt say has been arrested in Chapter 2?

2. Alfred finds out that the fight was called off against whose wishes in Chapter 7?

3. In Chapter 4, Alfred, his cousins and his aunt take the subway and a bus where to visit relatives?

4. What refers to an act that looks appealing to an individual?

5. Where did Robert Lipsyte attend college?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Alfred's relationship with Henry develop in Chapter 7?

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

3. How does the author describe Alfred's first few weeks of training in Chapter 10? What does Aunt Pearl learn?

4. How does Alfred's training begin in Chapter 5? What leads to his dejection?

5. How does the author describe Madison Square Garden in Chapter 7? What are Alfred's impressions?

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

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

8. What is Aunt Pearl's reaction to Alfred's news of training as a boxer in Chapter 9?

9. Where does Alfred wake up after being beaten in Chapter 2? Who is with him?

10. How does Alfred begin his workout at the gym in Chapter 6? What other trainers does he interact with?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Define, analyze and discuss character action and objective in the novel. What is Alfred's overall objective in the novel? How does he go about achieving that objective? Why does Mr. Epstein discourage Alfred from pursuing a boxing career?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze and discuss Alfred's anticipation of his first fight in Chapter 14. How nervous is Alfred? How does Henry feel about the fight? How has the relationship between Alfred and Henry progressed at this point in the narrative?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and discuss the setting of the clubhouse. How does the clubhouse represent temptation for Alfred? Also discuss Alfred's actions in Chapter 11. What are the repercussions of Alfred's actions?

(see the answer keys)

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