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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 time are Henry and Alfred supposed to be at Donatelli's gym in Chapter 14?

2. Alfred is haunted by the sound of what in Chapter 16?

3. What is cooked for Alfred to eat before the fight in Chapter 14?

4. Alfred's opponent in Chapter 18 is not as fast as whom?

5. What does Alfred's opponent do after the fight in Chapter 19?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What leads to Alfred's lapse in training in Chapter 12? What does he do instead?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

(see the answer keys)

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