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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 Gunnar say he was advocating in his speech?

2. Why don't Gunnar and Yoshiko have a social life in Boston?

3. Where is the wedding reception held?

4. Where does Gunnar take Nick to try to help him relax?

5. Where do Gunnar and Yoshiko tell people she will deliver their baby?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does Gunnar find refuge in his new school, how does he get his assignments and why has he been brought to that school?

2. When does Gunnar's wedding take place and who performs the ceremony?

3. What does Coach Shimimoto do and say when he keeps the team longer at practice in Chapter Seven?

4. To what is Gunnar invited to speak and how does Gunnar feel about the introductory speaker?

5. What does Gunnar see when they finally get out of practice in Chapter Seven and how does he learn what is happening?

6. Who crashes Gunnar's wedding and what happens between them and his bride?

7. What happens in Chapter Seven when Gunnar arrives at Ms. Kim's store?

8. What does the recruiter from Boston University do to woo Gunnar?

9. What does Gunnar say to the reporters about suicide?

10. What does Gunnar's coach tell him about Nick and what does the coach have for him? What does Gunnar do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The counselor was shocked that a black student could get the high SAT scores that Gunnar made.

1. Refute or defend the following statement: Stereotypes about people are generally true. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. How do you think stereotyping or generalization in schools can affect students? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. The only statement that can be true about a population is if that population consist of only one person. Discuss this statement in view of the counselor stereotyping black students.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss The White Boy Shuffle based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if The White Boy Shuffle is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for young teens versus adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider The White Boy Shuffle a successful novel? What about young teens? What about white people? Black people?

Essay Topic 3

It is unclear whether Gunnar realizes that Nick is serious about suicide when they talk on the beach. It is also unknown whether Gunnar would have done anything to stop it. Gunnar seems to be accepting things as inevitable. If Gunnar did not know that Nick was serious, he should have when he saw that Nick left behind his ever-present cassette player when Nick left the beach that final night.

1. Do you think suicide is a reasonable answer to a person's problems? Why or why not? Use examples from The White Boy Shuffle and your own life to support your answer.

2. Discuss the following statement: Suicide is permanent whereas most problems are not. Use examples from The White Boy Shuffle and your own life to support your answer.

3. Do you think Gunnar acted in an irresponsible way with Nick? Do you believe he had an obligation to stop Nick from committing suicide even if it meant calling the police? Why or why not? Use examples from The White Boy Shuffle and your own life to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,134 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample