View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What practice does Henry also begin participating in after his initial scheme?

2. Why does Henry initially go to the cabstand?

3. Where does Henry's girlfriend work?

4. What does Henry tell Karen he does every Friday?

5. What does Jimmy find in his trunk on his wedding day?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Henry see Paulie as "invulnerable"?

2. Why is the author, Nicholas Pileggi, hesitant to meet with Henry Hill, Jr. and write the book?

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. How does the book describe how the mafia rose in the Brownsville-East New York area?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout most of his marriage, Henry lies to Karen about almost everything in much part because that is what most wiseguys did. What does this tell the reader in regards to how wiseguys valued other people? How does this showcase their self-serving nature?

Essay Topic 2

At a very young age, Henry is coerced into committing illegal acts for the wiseguys. In what ways is Henry talked into committing these acts? What is his reaction when he is told to commit them? How are these crimes viewed in the eyes of the mobsters?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 919 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample