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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 Wilkerson carefully analyze?

2. What does Wilkerson believe happens when baptized by the Holy Spirit?

3. What is the reason that Dave says everything fell into place?

4. How does Wilkerson research the means of staying off drugs?

5. What does Nicky say he remembers Dave first said to him?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was one of the problems that happened occasionally at the center about meals? How was the problem often handled?

2. What does the author say about how Nicky's speech is received and what happens after it?

3. What story does the author tell in Chapter 20 to illustrate the difficulty of breaking a drug habit. Do you agree with his assessment?

4. Who inspired Dave to find a place and what did she say would come? Who helped him find a place for the Teen Center and what did they find? Does the place sound like a good building?

5. What does the author describe at the beginning of Chapter 14? When you read his description did it sound like a good idea to you?

6. What does Dave describe as his first step in training the young people that would work with him? Do you think Dave had enough experience to be teaching them?

7. What does he tell a Catholic priest about Pentecost?

8. What does Dave do after the priest and him talk?

9. What eventually happened to Maria?

10. What does the author have to say about the economics of drugs?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare/contrast Little Jo-Jo with Angelo.

2. Complete character analyses on George, Pedro, and Lucky.

3. Compare/contrast "Grandpap" (Wilkerson's grandfather) to the author, David Wilkerson.

Essay Topic 2

In literature, when a storyline moves from the present to the past, it is called a flashback. Flashbacks occur in fiction and also in some non-fiction--particularly memoir, autobiography and biography. Discuss the following:

1. Define the term "flashback" and give an example of it from your favorite book or movie.

2. Discuss three flashbacks from THE CROSS AND THE SWITCHBLADE and how they inform the story.

3. There are different ways to write an autobiography--one is that it is written chronological order with little or no flashbacks. The other is to write from the "present time" and presents events/ideas thematically. This way would rely heavily on flashbacks. Which style do you like to read the best and why?

Essay Topic 3

Wilkerson believes the street gangs are all acting out of a sense of deep loneliness and feeling unloved. Discuss the following:

1. Do you believe Wilkerson is correct about why the street gang members act out?

2. How do you think religion makes the gang members feel loved and not lonely?

3. What are some other ways that gangs can be reached if they reject the religious approach? Do you think those ways are as effective?

(see the answer keys)

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