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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Volume 2: Of the Street-Jews.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why did some young costers commit petty crimes?
(a) For a place to sleep and food to eat.
(b) For the thrill of it.
(c) To make a name for themselves.
(d) They were angry at the government.

2. What is one thing crossing sweeps did for tips?
(a) Watch for cops when something illegal was going on.
(b) Run numbers.
(c) Tell someone who has been by their home.
(d) Run errands.

3. What could the interest rate on stock reach?
(a) Two hundred percent per year.
(b) Forty percent per week.
(c) Twenty percent per day.
(d) 1040 percent per year.

4. What did a lodging manager do when a child brought in a stolen item for rent?
(a) Let the child stay for the night in exchange for the item.
(b) Called the constable.
(c) Gave the child half of what it was worth.
(d) Gave the child a small fraction of its value and pawned it.

5. How did coster runaway children usually support themselves?
(a) Joining the military.
(b) Living with another adult.
(c) Entering orphanages.
(d) Selling items on the street.

Short Answer Questions

1. How long had the crossing week Mayhew interviewed work as a crossing sweep at the time of the interview?

2. What was a huckster who sold hardware at a fair called?

3. What does Mayhew say the Jewish traders seldom were?

4. What did a publisher who Mayhew knew do for the boy who talked to Mayhew?

5. At about what age did many costermonger children begin to sell?

(see the answer key)

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