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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 tells his family that he is planning to go back to finish high school by doing what in Chapter 17?

2. What is the outcome of the fight in Chapter 19?

3. Before they leave for the fight, who tells Alfred that he talked to a doctor at the clinic in Chapter 19?

4. What does James ask for from Alfred in Chapter 17?

5. At the fight, Donatelli finds out that Alfred is going to be fighting against whom in Chapter 19?

Short Essay Questions

1. How has the relationship between Alfred and Henry changed in Chapter 13?

2. How does Alfred feel the day after the fight in Chapter 16? What happens at work?

3. How does Alfred feel when his friends encourage him to work with kids at the school teaching about boxing in Chapter 16?

4. Describe Alfred's confrontation with James in Chapter 20. What is the outcome of their exchange?

5. What leads to an argument between Alfred's uncle and cousin in Chapter 17?

6. How has working with Alfred changed Henry in Chapter 19? What does Henry reveal to Alfred in the chapter?

7. What does Mr. Donatelli encourage Alfred to do in Chapter 18? Why?

8. How does the fight end in Chapter 16? How does Alfred feel about it?

9. How does Alfred exhibit discipline during the fight in Chapter 14?

10. What exchange does Alfred have with James when he arrives at the clubhouse in Chapter 11?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze and discuss the theme of escape in the novel. How does boxing represent escape for Alfred? What does escape mean to James? How does Alfred's need for escape evolve in the narrative?

Essay Topic 2

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 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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