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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. Where is Alfred supposed to be going in the beginning of Chapter 1?

3. Who comes to the gym and tells Alfred that he should join them that night in Chapter 10?

4. When Alfred returns home in Chapter 6, who questions him regarding his whereabouts and asks if he has been out all night?

5. Who threatens to give Alfred a squealer's scar in Chapter 8?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Alfred's reputation at work like in Chapter 5? What internal conflict does he face?

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

3. Discuss the conflicts in Chapter 6. What does Alfred learn from them?

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

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

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

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

10. What is juxtaposed against Alfred's home life in Chapter 4? What contrast is illustrated?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and analyze the characters of Henry, Bud and Red in the novel. How does Alfred relate to each of these characters? What is symbolic about the relationships of the characters? How do these relationships evolve?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and analyze the setting of Madison Square Garden. How big is the arena? What are Alfred's impressions of the setting? Also discuss the characters Alfred meets at the arena in Chapter 7. How important are these characters in the boxing world?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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