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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. What gift does Alfred receive before the fight in Chapter 14?

2. What happens after Alfred eats some food from a vendor in Chapter 12?

3. Why does Alfred go to the gym in Chapter 12?

4. Who does Alfred discover paid for the robe he received in Chapter 19?

5. Who does Alfred fight in Chapter 16?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Alfred feel the morning of his first fight in Chapter 14? What does he do?

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

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

4. What information does Aunt Pearl reveal to Alfred when he returns home in Chapter 20?

5. What leads up to Alfred's drinking at the clubhouse in Chapter 11?

6. With whom does Alfred fight in Chapter 18? How does the fight begin and end?

7. Who is present at Thanksgiving dinner in Chapter 17? What is discussed regarding boxing at dinner?

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

9. What exchange does Alfred have with Aunt Pearl in Chapter 15?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and analyze Alfred's relationship with Aunt Pearl in the narrative. How close is Alfred to his aunt? What is his relationship with his cousins like? How long has Alfred lived with his aunt and why?

Essay Topic 3

Define, analyze and discuss character action and objective in the novel. What is Alfred's overall objective in the novel? How does he go about achieving that objective? Why does Mr. Epstein discourage Alfred from pursuing a boxing career?

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