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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How did Smith try to impress people after dropping out of school?
(a) By claiming he planned to become manager of the store one day.
(b) By claiming he was saving money to tour Europe.
(c) By claiming he was studying business.
(d) By claiming he was studying to be a botanist.

2. What free perk did New York firemen get?
(a) Free taxi rides.
(b) Free rides on the subway.
(c) Free clothes.
(d) Free admission to parks.

3. How did the firefighters eventually subdue the naked man on Southern Boulevard?
(a) By talking him into dropping the weapon.
(b) By using a stun gun.
(c) By wrapping him in a blanket.
(d) By tackling him.

4. After years of "carrying death in my hands," what did Smith see firefighting as lacking?
(a) Stability.
(b) Security.
(c) Glamor.
(d) High pay.

5. What was the first call the department took the day after the Saint Patrick's Day parade?
(a) A child locked inside a bathroom alone.
(b) A stove fire.
(c) A child locked inside an apartment alone.
(d) An overflowing bathtub flooding an apartment beneath.

6. What did Smith see in Fireman Billy-o as he held the baby who died in the fire?
(a) His humanity.
(b) Depression.
(c) Despair.
(d) Hatred.

7. Why were the firefighters frustrated about budget issues?
(a) The firefighters themselves have always had to pay for basic station needs.
(b) Layoffs were expected.
(c) The budget was being cut.
(d) Salaries were being cut.

8. What ethnic group was now predominate in the formerly Irish neighborhood in which Smith grew up?
(a) Dominicans.
(b) Puerto Ricans.
(c) Chinese.
(d) Blacks.

9. What was the name of the young prostitute who lived in the neighborhood served by Engine Co. 82?
(a) Jennifer Rodriguez.
(b) Tina deVega.
(c) Marisol Vega.
(d) Tina Sanchez.

10. Why was Smith upset about the path Tina de Vega took in life?
(a) He was angry with her for throwing her life away.
(b) He worried that he could have done something to help her.
(c) He believes she should have left the South Bronx.
(d) He felt that nobody ever reached out to her.

11. Why were the five adults and two children unable to escape the burning building?
(a) Because the doors were locked from the outside to kep drug addicts out.
(b) Because a partial roof collapse blocked their way.
(c) Because the fire escape was broken.
(d) Because the fire on the floors below stopped them.

12. What one gift did Smith want more than anything as a child?
(a) A Schwinn bicycle.
(b) A remote-control car.
(c) A skateboard.
(d) A television in his own room.

13. How were most people escaping from the blaze on Intervale Avenue in Chapter 10?
(a) Through access doors to the roof.
(b) Down the stairs.
(c) By fire escape.
(d) Through the windows.

14. Why did George say firefighters will never realize they are being duped?
(a) Because they knew the city would never help them.
(b) Because they took pride in providing for themselves.
(c) Because they were not smart enough to realize they were being duped.
(d) Because you had to be crazy to run into a fire and crazy people do not recognize reality.

15. Why did Smith choose to transfer to Engine Co. 82?
(a) It was the busiest engine company in the city.
(b) He wanted to serve the South Bronx.
(c) He wanted to make more money.
(d) He wanted a quieter place to serve.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the minimum height for a fireman in New York?

2. What holiday was being celebrated on Smith's day off in Chapter 7?

3. What was the cause of the fire the men responded to at Union and 166th Street in Chapter 10?

4. How many men competed for firemen positions that day?

5. Why did the city fence off the empty lots near the fire station?

(see the answer keys)

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