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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. To what arena does Alfred go to see the fight in Chapter 7?

2. Where did Robert Lipsyte attend college?

3. What causes tensions to be particularly high at the gym in Chapter 10?

4. In Chapter 2, when Alfred leaves the apartment, a boy tells him that Sonny and who are looking for him?

5. Where did Robert Lipsyte grow up?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. When does Alfred wake and leave the apartment in Chapter 2? Who does he encounter on his way out?

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

4. How does Alfred act toward Mr. Donatelli in Chapter 3? What does he tell him is his motivation?

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

6. What leads up to Alfred entering Donatelli's gym in Chapter 2?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze and discuss the author's use of symbolism in the narrative. How does the author use symbolism to illustrate the theme of racism? What is symbolic in the setting of Donatelli's? What does Mr. Donatelli represent to Alfred?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze and discuss the theme of family in the novel. How is family illustrated at Donatelli's gym? How is this theme expressed through symbolism in the narrative? How does Alfred relate to his family?

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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