View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Rusty-James doing when Chapter 2 opens?

2. Why does Rusty-James go to school the day after he is cut with a knife?

3. What does Patty do when she see Rusty-James at Benny's?

4. What does Patty do when a girl flirts with Rusty-James?

5. Where has Rusty-James spent five years?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the significance of Rusty-James' paying back money he has borrowed?

2. What dose Steve mean when he says that he cannot keep on thinking for Rusty-James?

3. Why is it important for Rusty-James to be with crowds of people?

4. Why does it take Rusty-James longer than he thought to forget about Motorcycle Boy's death?

5. What is important about the river?

6. What does Rusty-James' father do when he gets home in Chapter 5?

7. Why does Rusty-James not understand that Patty is mad that he fooed around with another girl at the lake?

8. Why is Patterson watching Rusty-James and Motorcycle Boy when they leave the drugstore?

9. What sets Motorcycle Boy apart from the others?

10. In Chapter 7, why is Rusty-James afraid of Motorcycle Boy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Rusty-James is the protagonist of "Rumble Fish." He may also be an anti-hero. Do you think he is a protagonist or anti-hero? Find descriptions from the text to support your answer and to provide evidence for your opinion.

Essay Topic 2

How does the author's methods at the beginning of the novel set the tone?

Part 1) How does Steve's arrival promote the tone of the novel at the beginning?

Part 2) How does Steve's mentioning Rusty-James' resemblance to someone enhance the tone set forth at the onset of the novel?

Part 3) How does Rusty-James' forgetfulness set up the suspense?

Find descriptions from the text to support your answer and to provide evidence for your opinion.

Essay Topic 3

Underage drinking, gambling, and smoking are a part of Rusty-James' everyday life. Analyze how these events alter Rusty-James' life and impact his interaction with those around him. How do these indulgences derail his life? Find descriptions from the text to support your answer and to provide evidence for your opinion.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 640 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample