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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. Who does Rufus meet at the bus depot?

2. Which two Moors members does Alex Robbins learn exhibit high potential?

3. In their initial contact, where does Alex Robbins ask the Moors to meet him later that same evening?

4. Now that Ernie Brown will be nearby, Rufus has a fantasy that he will meet Ernie and what else?

5. Where is the next Moors meeting held following Bantu leaving?

Short Essay Questions

1. At the beginning of the novel, during his weekly meeting with Rufus Henry, how does social worker Mr. Rubio attempt to let Rufus know he is aware of his Ernie Brown scrapbook?

2. Later on the evening that Rufus Henry accepts membership into the Moors gang, why is it that Ed Travers makes a call on Rufus' behalf?

3. How is it that Rufus Henry displays his practical side when initially encountering the Gassers gang?

4. How does Rufus Henry remain safe when the members of the Gassers gang surround him in the alley?

5. Before leaving the crafts center, how does Rufus Henry manage to embarrass himself when Alex Robbins attempts to find out if the Moors have an interest in watching the Marauders practice?

6. In the opening chapters, what type of picture does author Frank Bonham paint of Rufus Henry's new environment in the Durango Housing Project?

7. How does Rufus Henry deal with Idell subsequent to Rufus' fight with Bantu Motley?

8. What Is Rufus Henry's recollection of his mother first telling him about her marriage to Ernie Brown?

9. In the meeting following his fight with Bantu Motley, what does Rufus Henry suggest regarding how the Moors should deal with the Gassers?

10. Why is the house in the Durango Housing Project not one in which Rufus Henry will feel at home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Rufus Henry recognizes that he wants to attend college, but to do so requires him to obtain a scholarship. What sports scholarship does Rufus seek? What steps is Rufus following toward achieving that goal? What dietary procedures is he pursuing? What sort of employment does Rufus feel he must obtain in order to develop his muscles?

Essay Topic 2

What are the ways in which Frank Bonham demonstrates that Rufus Henry's maintenance of an emotionless façade is critical to him? How are sunglasses a significant symbol in this story? In what fashion does Rufus unnerve his opponents in fights? Why does Rufus attempt to hide his appreciation of Ernie Brown as a football hero, although the other youths are clearly his fans?

Essay Topic 3

Spell out why sections cut from a hose and filled with sand represent for Rufus Henry a powerful symbol. How do empty hose pieces reflect caution on his part? How do sand-filled hose sections depict lack of caution on the part of his fellow gang members? Why does Rufus turn Judy Williams and Nonie Emrey away when they offer assistance? What is Rufus fearful of?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,281 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample