1. What explanation does Paps say to his sons about Ma's swollen purple cheeks?
(a) Ma got into a fight at work with Lina, her co-worker.
(b) Ma was punched in the face by the dentist to loosen her teeth before pulling them.
(c) Ma fell down the stairs when she was drunk.
(d) Ma was in a bad car accident and hit her face on the steering wheel.

2. In the crawlspace, the narrator asks Joel, "It's just going to be like this forever?" (43). What is the narrator referring to?
(a) Paps' abusive ways and how they will get out of the situation.
(b) The brothers always being spanked after school.
(c) Ma and Paps' relationship and it affects their situation and futures.
(d) The family being poor and not able to support themselves.

3. What does Lina call Ma after arriving at the narrator's house?
(a) Little One.
(b) Amiga.
(c) Comrade.
(d) Shorty.

4. What does the narrator believe Paps is really doing when he punishes his sons?
(a) Preparing them to be strong to fight other boys.
(b) The narrator believes Paps is so drunk he does not know what he is doing.
(c) Taking his anger out on his sons instead of Ma.
(d) Giving them an awakening.

5. Why is Ma worried about the brothers' bath in Chapter 10, YOU BETTER COME?
(a) Ma is worried that the brothers will catch "pneumonia" (46) from the cold water.
(b) Ma is concerned about the brothers, because the brothers were "clean and fed and not afraid of growing up" (47).
(c) Ma is stressed that the brothers are "sneaky," (47) and will play a trick on her.
(d) Ma is scared that the brothers "couldn't comprehend what was..." (46) happening.