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

2. What does Alfred give James in Chapter 17?

3. What mode of transportation does Alfred take for the first time in Chapter 14?

4. What punch does Alfred throw to win the fight in Chapter 16?

5. Who is the central antagonist in "The Contender"?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How does the fight end in Chapter 14? How does Alfred feel about it?

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

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

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

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

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

9. How have Alfred's skills developed in Chapter 13? How has his character developed?

10. What exchange does Alfred have with Mr. Donatelli in Chapter 12? Where?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 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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