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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 position did Colin formulate after taking on more responsibilities at the Boston City Hall?

2. Where was Ben Diver originally from, according to Chapter 7?

3. For whom did Ben Colin work?

4. What was John McKechnie's profession?

5. What was Frederick's daughter's name?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Bernie Kirk feel about the Kennedy family?

2. Who was Colin Diver, according to Chapter 1 of Common Ground?

3. What does Chapter 9 of Common Ground begin with, and why is Louise Day Hicks significant?

4. Which of Alice McGoff's family members immigrated to Boston, returned to Ireland, and then went back to Boston?

5. Why were people buying property in the South End area?

6. Who lived at the Bunker Hill housing project, according to Chapter 3?

7. Who was informed of the King assassination, at the start of Chapter 4?

8. In Chapter 14, what judge was assigned to the civil rights case, Morgan v Hennigan?

9. Who was Danny McGoff?

10. What was the decision released on June 21, 1974?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Project 76 was at Charlestown High, but the senior trip was canceled because of a teacher gambling away the money. Students actually believed that the reason was busing. Examine the ramifications of the truth not being revealed, for the students, teachers, and the community as a whole. Use the text to support your discussion.

Essay Topic 2

The Epilogue reveals the status of the people and families in the book after the book ended. Students should compare a family with how they were in the book with events that occurred after and examine how the situation of busing played a role in their life. Use the text to support your discussion.

Essay Topic 3

Lukas focuses on the politics of the time, particularly in regards to the Kennedy family, who were extremely influential in Boston. Students should examine the influence that the Kennedy family had on Boston at the time and discuss the significance of Lukas's decision to include this in Common Ground. Use the text to support your discussion.

(see the answer keys)

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