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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. Who is Peralta's Sunday school teacher in Part II?

2. What impresses Peralta's Sunday school teacher in Part II?

3. What activity at Collegiate does Peralta join in ninth grade?

4. Who tells Peralta he got into Collegiate?

5. What sport does Peralta like to watch with his father as a child?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Peralta's mother have a falling out with her family in Chapter 1?

2. Why does Peralta decide not to tell his mother about his breathing problems in Part II?

3. Why does Peralta's mother tell him he needs to be prepared for something happening to her?

4. What differences does Peralta feel between his neighborhood in Harlem and the Upper West Side, where his private school is located?

5. Why do Peralta and Yando keep their shoes on in the shower at the homeless shelter?

6. What does Jeff suggest Peralta does that changes his life in Part II?

7. Why does one of Maria's friends think that Peralta might not be her son?

8. Why does Peralta decide he wants to attend an Ivy League school?

9. What does Peralta do on his flight to New York City as a small child that endears him to people?

10. What was Peralta's and his family's main holiday diversion during his childhood while they lived in the homeless shelter?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay explaining the impact that Jeff has on both Peralta's and Yando's lives, citing specific references to the text to help support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay exploring Peralta's perspective on Catholicism, faith, and spirituality, citing specific references to the text to help support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

How does Peralta feel about his father at different points during this book? Write an essay exploring Peralta's complex relationship with his father.

(see the answer keys)

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