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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. How old was Johnson when he, Kevin, and the other boys went to Skate 22 in Chapter 12?

2. How old was Kevin when he died?

3. How many books did Johnson say teachers made them read over the summer?

4. In Chapter 10, when was the next time that the family saw Uncle Kevin and Desiree after a wedding where a fracas broke out?

5. By what time was everyone in Johnson's family usually gathered to eat Thanksgiving dinner?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Garrett's letter to Nanny, what occasion did he remember when she was especially proud of him?

2. Where did Nanny move in 1993?

3. What was the menu for Thanksgiving dinner?

4. Why did Johnson call Nanny a cool lady even as she got older?

5. What did Lil Rall and Rasul want to do the summer Lil' Kevin came to stay in Plainfield?

6. In Chapter 10, how did Johnson and Garrett spend their summers?

7. What was the last Thanksgiving like with Nanny, and when did she pass away?

8. What was life like for Lil' Kevin?

9. Why did Kevin come to live in Plainfield in 1996?

10. What thoughts did Johnson have about healing from the abuse he suffered from Lil' Kevin?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Johnson spent a lot of time at his uncle’s barbershop. What experiences did Johnson have at his uncle’s barbershop? What were the pros and cons of the experience Black boys had at barbershops?

Essay Topic 2

Nanny used corporal punishment to discipline her grandsons. How did Nanny use corporal punishment? Why did Johnson believe punishment should not be the "primary form of 'justice' for bad choices" (47)?

Essay Topic 3

Johnson believed that change was “one of the only constants in life” (129). Why did Johnson believe that change was one of the only constants in life? What were the pros and cons of change?

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