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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 are the wiseguys who take on the more violent crimes called?

2. Why do Henry and his partner get removed from their first job?

3. What country does Henry's father immigrate from?

4. How old is Henry when he is first arrested?

5. Who is described as "suspicious of their own noses"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the author's intent for writing this book?

2. How does Henry get away with using stolen credit cards so often?

3. Why does Paulie worry about Henry and Peter dating Linda and Veralynn, and why does he eventually allow them to date?

4. Describe how the insider Frenchy helped the mobsters steal $480,000 from the Air Cargo Center.

5. While Paulie is suspicious of many men that work for him he seems to trust Henry easily. What are his motivations for this quick acceptance?

6. Describe some of the illegal schemes that Henry takes part in while serving in the Army.

7. What has Henry begun doing that causes a lot of friction between Karen and her parents?

8. Why does Karen like Henry so much?

9. Describe the ambush the wiseguys took out on a local restaurant staff in Chapter 10.

10. Why does Henry want to become partners with Lenny and what are some of the perks that come along with it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The wiseguys viewed honest workers as suckers who were too afraid to break the rules and reap the many rewards that came from it. Explain why these men had such a distorted view of reality. What blame do they place on society for their actions?

Essay Topic 2

In Chapter 3, the culture of the Brownsville-East area of New York was examined. In what ways does the mob affect this neighborhood, both positively and negatively? How integral is the mob lifestyle to the residents of this area? Do they actually help them or do they only make their situations worse? In what ways are the wiseguys' schemes accepted in their neighborhood? What are some explanations for why no one ever tried to stop them from breaking the law?

Essay Topic 3

Henry was often treated with disrespect and hatred at home. How do you feel this influenced his becoming a wiseguy? Do you think that it is one of his biggest motivations or a coincidence? In what ways does this motivate and prepare him for a life in the mob? Are these downfalls to blame for these men entering a life of crime or are they simply a part of the typical wiseguy demographic? Is it possible for a wiseguy to be from a rich and well balanced home?

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