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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 is the first job Henry receives?

2. What money making scheme is introduced in Chapter 7?

3. What is Jimmy Burke's nickname?

4. What is the name of Henry's first girlfriend whom he meets in Chapter 11?

5. How much does the book say Henry brings home as a bricklayer?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Henry fall for Karen when before he wasn't interested in having one steady girlfriend?

2. What is the typical wiseguy like?

3. Discuss what jobs Henry is given involving the gambling ring.

4. Why does Henry choose the cabstand when looking for a part-time job?

5. What are some of the ways Karen notices that Henry's profession as a bricklayer might not be as it seems?

6. Why do Henry's parents disapprove of their son's new job at the cabstand?

7. What problems do the mobsters run into while trying to get keys to the strong room, and how do they eventually overcome it?

8. Describe why the author, Nicholas Pileggi, decides to write the book from Henry Hill's perspective.

9. Describe the mentality of the "sidewalk soldiers" and why they never feared being caught for their crimes.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare Henry's father's lifestyle to that of the wiseguys. How much harder does Henry Hill, Sr. have to work to reap minimal rewards? What aspects of his father's normal and honest life do you think most compelled Henry to choose the path of becoming a wiseguy?

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

Compare Henry's view of gambling to that of his life. How are the two similar? What importance does "luck" hold for Henry in regards to both?

(see the answer keys)

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