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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. Where do Gunnar and Yoshiko go first after the wedding?

2. Where do Yoshiko and Gunnar go from the beach?

3. Who performs the marriage ceremony?

4. What does Coach Shimimoto do at basketball practice in Chapter Seven?

5. What is the commotion Gunnar notices when he leaves a man's house after watching television there?

Short Essay Questions

1. What subject does Nick bring up to Gunnar and what does Nick ask Gunnar?

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

3. What happens when Yoshiko goes into labor?

4. How does the school counselor feel about Gunnar's SAT scores and what happens because of his scores?

5. Who arranges a marriage for Gunnar and how does he come up with a bride? Where does the wedding take place?

6. What does Gunnar's creative writing class want him to do?

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

8. Who comes to talk to Gunnar about his speech the next day and what do they ask him about?

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

10. What does Nick complain about Boston and what does he do about it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are a number of interesting questions raised by The White Boy Shuffle. Questions that Beatty most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Beatty's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Beatty's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Paul Beatty and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of The White Boy Shuffle, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in The White Boy Shuffle. (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Do you think racism still exists in the United States? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. Discuss in depth several things that you can do in your own life to help stop prejudice against any group of people. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. According to the hate crime law any person harming another person and the primary motivation is prejudice or hatred that crime is more serious than the same act against a person that does not have that motivation. Do you think this is a good law? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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