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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 location does Alfred go to look for James after the robbery in Chapter 1?

2. Who cheers Alfred on as he runs in the morning in Chapter 9?

3. When was the book "SportsWorld" published?

4. At what kind of store does Alfred work?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What causes the raised tensions at the gym in Chapter 10? How does Alfred come to view the gym?

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

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

6. In what ways has Alfred overcome obstacles and fears in Chapter 6?

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

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

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

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

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

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 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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