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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. Gantos realized in Section 3, Chapter 6, that it was only when he was unable to __________that he was finally able to see his own worth and nurture his own writing.

2. For what latest novel did Jack Gantos win the 2012 Newbery Medal?

3. Who mailed Gantos's college applications from his home so that he could avoid a Department of Corrections stamp in Section 3, Chapter 7?

4. In Section 3, Chapter 1, what did Gantos learn when he called home?

5. Who was Gantos' new caseworker in in Section 3, Chapter 7?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Gantos feel after his father and brother visited him inebriated in Section 3, Chapter 6?

2. Where did Gantos go after arriving in Florida in Section 2, Chapter 4? What was his mindset?

3. Where did Gantos go after his prison release in Section 3, Chapter 7? Where did he live and work?

4. Describe the bust by the FBI in Section 2, Chapter 4. How did Gantos escape?

5. What did Gantos learn about the charges against him in Section 3, Chapter 1?

6. Where was Gantos sent to serve his prison term in Section 3, Chapter 4? How does he describe his arrival there?

7. How did Gantos's new case worker help him earn early parole in Section 3, Chapter 7?

8. What does Gantos write of "getting caught" stories in Section 2, Chapter 4?

9. What interaction did Gantos have with this father in Section 3, Chapter 3? How did Gantos feel about it?

10. How did Gantos help a prisoner who had swallowed hash in Section 3, Chapter 5? How was he rewarded?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and analyze the narrative structure of the autobiography. Where does Gantos' exposition transition into the rising action of the plot? Where is the climax of the narrative? What takes place in the denouement? How traditional is this plot structure?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss Gantos and Hamilton's interactions with the U.S. Coast Guard in Section 2, Chapter 3. What dangers did the men face with these close encounters? Why did Hamilton choose to follow the plane after the storm? Was this wise? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the stay of Gantos and his peers at the Chelsea Hotel. What were Gantos' impressions of the Chelsea Hotel and its former occupants? Which of these authors had been most influential to Gantos? How did Gantos' love for authors present itself as a lifesaver upon the FBI bust?

(see the answer keys)

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