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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. What does JB's girlfriend ask for seconds of at the dinner table in "The Girl Who Stole My Brother"?

2. What is the first line in the poem "Mom, Since You Asked, I'll Tell You Why I'm So Angry"?

3. What is the court described as doing in the poem "The Last Shot"?

4. For how many days does Josh say his father has been in the hospital in "Tanka for Language Arts Class"?

5. What does Josh say his mother packed in his lunch in "No Pizza and Fries"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What thoughts and emotions does Josh express in "Dear Jordan"?

2. How is "Churlish" defined in the poem with the same name? How does Josh apply this term to his life?

3. What actions are described regarding Chuck in "On Christmas Eve"?

4. Why does Josh say JB hates basketball in "Myocardial Infarction"?

5. What is related of Vondie's girlfriend in "Even Vondie"?

6. What condition has led to Chuck Bell's hospitalization in "Fourth Quarter"?

7. What news is related in the poem "Article #1 in the Daily News (December 14)"?

8. How are the Christmas celebrations described in "Santa Claus Stops By"?

9. How is the word "profusely" explored in the poem that has the same name?

10. What information is related in "Text Messages from Vondie"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Josh's use of language reflect upon his character? How does Josh's use of language stand apart from the other characters in The Crossover? How is dialogue conveyed in this verse novel?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the style of the poems in The Crossover. Does the author employ rhyme and meter throughout the poems? What are examples of similes, metaphors, and other literary devices employed in the poems?

Essay Topic 3

Several poems throughout The Crossover are titled "Basketball Rule #." What is the significance of these particular poems? How do these poems stand out stylistically from the others in the verse novel?

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