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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. Who mentions that he tried to join a boxing club at school, but he didn't do well with it in Chapter 17?

2. To what drug is James addicted in the novel?

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

4. Alfred's opponent in Chapter 18 goes after Alfred's arms and what?

5. Alfred is told to do what to his opponent in Chapter 16?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Who does Alfred fight in his second fight in Chapter 16? How does the fight begin?

3. How does Alfred feel about Spoon and his neighborhood in Chapter 14? What does Spoon represent to Alfred?

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

5. How does Mr. Donatelli feel about the fight in Chapter 14? What does his gift represent to Alfred?

6. How is Alfred's last fight described in Chapter 19? How does Alfred feel about the outcome?

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

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

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

10. Where does Alfred go after being chased by the cops in Chapter 12? What does he do and think about his situation?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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 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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