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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 chore does Jerome assume at home?

2. What does Jerome say about his mother's interactions with other people?

3. Why does Jerome worry that some people might think he is a thief?

4. Why is Mattie Sue happy about Jerome's arrival in Home Economics class?

5. Who calls Jerome in to talk with him?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Jerome want to do in church and what does he decide to do for Bix?

2. What new responsibilities does Jerome assume at home and who talks to Jerome about this?

3. What is Jerome doing the night he meets Bix?

4. What is the traditional game that Jerome discusses?

5. Who does the narrator, Jerome, introduce and what does he say about where the young man is?

6. What are two reasons Jerome gives for being the one to tell Bix's story?

7. Who accompanies Jerome to the basketball court one day and how does Jerome feel about that?

8. What does Jerome say about his French and Communications classes?

9. Describe Braxton Rivers' parents.

10. Describe Jerome's attempt to be accepted on the basketball team.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Bruce Brooks.

2. What in Brooks's background may have helped him in writing The Moves Make the Man? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in The Moves Make the Man. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in The Moves Make the Man. Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of truth in The Moves Make the Man. Consider also the theme of lying as opposed to truth and what truths are presented.

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Jerome and Bix. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Jerome's mother and Bix's stepfather. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in The Moves Make the Man help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

(see the answer keys)

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