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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 is the first sentence in "The Doctor Pats Jordan and Me on the Back and Says"?

2. What does Josh describe his mother repeatedly singing in "The Doctor Pats Jordan and Me on the Back and Says"?

3. How many points does JB have in the game in "The Nosebleed Section"?

4. How many seconds are left to go in the game when the coach calls time-out in "For Dad"?

5. What does Josh say his mother packed in his lunch in "No Pizza and Fries"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Josh point out the irony of the doctor's name in "The Next Morning"?

2. How would you describe Josh's attitude at the hospital in "The Doctor Pats Jordan and Me on the Back And Says"?

3. What stylistic elements stand out in the poem "Fast Break"?

4. Why does Josh say JB hates basketball in "Myocardial Infarction"?

5. How is the word "profusely" explored in the poem that has the same name?

6. What thoughts and emotions does Josh express in "Dear Jordan"?

7. What character is compared to a storm in the poem "Storm"? How does the author make this comparison?

8. What are some of the questions that appear in the poem "Questions" in "Fourth Quarter"?

9. What is the significance of the repetition of the word "alone" in "I Don’t Think I’ll Ever Get Used To"?

10. How is "Churlish" defined in the poem with the same name? How does Josh apply this term to his life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Several poems in The Crossover focus on a single word, such as "Irony." What is the significance of these poems? How do these poems explore language thematically? Why do you think the author employs this style?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Josh's feelings about Alexis (Miss Sweet Tea) in the narrative. Why does Josh express jealousy over Alexis? What do you think Alexis represents symbolically in the story? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the relationship between Chuck and Crystal Bell in The Crossover. For how long have they been married? Who appears to dominate this relationship? Why?

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