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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How did Smith believe the city was treated by the state?
(a) He felt the state placed too many requirements on the city.
(b) He felt the state put too much emphasis on the city.
(c) He felt the state took the city's tax money, but failed to provide adequate services.
(d) He felt the state tried to control the city.

2. Who was the second injured person found by firefighters at the Home and Simpson streets intersection, and how was he injured?
(a) The boy's friend, who was also hit.
(b) The driver; he sustained the injuries in the accident.
(c) A bystander mistaken for the driver and beaten.
(d) The driver; he had been beaten by the angry crowd.

3. What is one example of a booby trap sometimes left by arsonists?
(a) Broken glass left on the floors.
(b) Gasoline cans that will explode as the fire spreads.
(c) A piece of linoleum covering a hole in an upper floor.
(d) Locked doors to trap firefighters.

4. According to Smith, how should kids who pull malicious false alarms be treated?
(a) They should be given guidance care by social services.
(b) They should be returned to their parents.
(c) They should be warned of the consequences of false alarms.
(d) They should be sent to an institution for a year.

5. What orders did the doctors give Smith after his injury from the Prospect Avenue fire?
(a) Get extra sleep.
(b) Do not work for a few weeks.
(c) Do not talk much or smoke for a few weeks.
(d) Do not talk at all.

6. For which time period did Smith work as a firefighter in the South Bronx?
(a) 1966-73.
(b) 1962-1969.
(c) 1960-67.
(d) 1969-1976.

7. How long did Smith take off to recover from the throat damage he sustained during the Prospect Avenue fire in Chapter 3?
(a) Two weeks.
(b) One week.
(c) Five days.
(d) One month.

8. Why did Smith insist on working in the South Bronx?
(a) He had relatives there.
(b) He believed the people there had a right to fire services.
(c) The pay was better.
(d) He lived close to the South Bronx.

9. What did Smith keep in his locker at the fire station?
(a) A battered book of Irish prose.
(b) A battered book of Yeats' poems.
(c) The collected works of James Joyce.
(d) A battered book of Irish poetry.

10. Whose job is it to investigate suspicious fires?
(a) Fire investigators.
(b) Arson specialists.
(c) The fire chief.
(d) Fire marshals.

11. What was the average daily number of false alarms in New York City during the time period covered by the book?
(a) 147.
(b) 50.
(c) 100.
(d) 250.

12. Why was Smith sent to the hospital after the Prospect Avenue fire?
(a) He broke his ankle leaving the building.
(b) He sustained smoke damage to his throat.
(c) He suffered injuries from falling debris.
(d) He suffered slight burns.

13. Why was his wife upset the morning Smith went back to work?
(a) She had lost her job.
(b) She was worried about the kids.
(c) She had talked to his mother about the dangers of his job.
(d) She wanted to move closer to the city.

14. What options did the firefighters have when they were trapped between the two blazes at the factory building?
(a) They could all focus on one fire or split up and tackle both.
(b) They could wait for another team to arrive or jump out the window.
(c) They could jump out the windows or climb to the roof.
(d) They had no options.

15. What happened to several firefighters (including Smith) fighting a blaze at a two-story factory building?
(a) The windows began breaking.
(b) A fire broke out behind them.
(c) The roof caved in.
(d) The floor gave away.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did the ladder company do to get to the source of the smoke at the Charlotte Street fire?

2. How does Smith describe the racial characteristics of Washingtonville?

3. What did the kids across the street from the Union Avenue fire do when the firefighters arrived?

4. What was wrong with the furnace room where the firefighters retreated for warmth during the Charlotte Street fire?

5. What two famous people once ran for Mayor and City Council President?

(see the answer keys)

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