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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 stops Alfred to question him in Chapter 5?

2. Who had decided that he and Alfred were going to be wrestlers after he found a boxing and wrestling magazine on the street in Chapter 7?

3. Who hands Alfred a ticket to the fight that night in Chapter 6?

4. Who said that if Alfred came back he might as well see what he came back for in Chapter 6?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Why does Alfred not back down against the thugs in Chapter 8? How does he feel about this interaction?

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

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

7. How is Alfred's morning run described in the beginning of Chapter 9? What does he reveal to his aunt?

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

9. How does Donatelli evaluate Alfred in Chapter 3? What does he ask Alfred?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze and discuss the theme of racism in the novel. How does Alfred feel about the racial tensions around him? How important is race to the characters in the book? How is race seen differently in the different settings in the novel?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Analyze and discuss the actions and objectives presented in Chapter 12. Why does Donatelli press Alfred to retire? How has Alfred's feelings about boxing changed? Why does Alfred choose to leave behind his dreams?

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