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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. Why is Lafeyette arrested?

2. How is Craig killed?

3. What has changed about Lafeyette?

4. During the party, what does Dawn come running in to warn about?

5. Who wants to believe in magical things and be able to dream and imagine?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe what Pharoah sees as the boys are eating their food outside the Main Street hot dog stand.

2. What is the unfortunate coincidence involving Craig Davis and the police?

3. Why do LaJoe and Lafeyette back off from trying to stop the beating of a man by some Horner gang members?

4. Who is Vince Lane and what does he hope to accomplish?

5. What are the projects like in the winter?

6. How does LaJoe remember the day Terrence was sentenced since Terrence had requested that she not come to court that day?

7. When Pharoah and Porkchop go to visit Dawn, what is her condition?

8. Describe the shooting of Craig Davis.

9. Describe Lafeyette's frame of mind at Craig's funeral.

10. How does the judge make LaJoe feel after Lafeyette's hearing?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay on the exploitation of children. Begin with the need for Lafeyette to grow old before his time. Expand that theme to child soldiers and sweatshop laborers. Discuss how and why this exploitation happens to children all over the world.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay on the causes of gangs and gang violence. What are the circumstances that cause young people to join gangs and subject themselves to gang authority? If gang authority is accepted, what are the reasons for rebelling against the authority of schools, the police, and the adult family members? Go deeper into the causes than just rebellion. Discuss things like personal safety, a need to belong, and a need to communicate.

Essay Topic 3

Write a paper on pacifism. Starting with Pharoah who avoids physical conflict and often goes to his secret place where he feels safe, discuss the idea that pacifism has the advantage of not escalating conflict. You may want to mention Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in your paper. Show how pacifism is not the same thing as weakness.

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This section contains 974 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample