Why did Rameck need $150?
A. To buy school supplies
B. To help his family pay bills
C. To buy a pair of Nikes
D. To get pictures taken for his portfolio
D. To get pictures taken for his portfolio
George is described as “inquisitive.” What does this word mean?
A. Angry and aggressive
B. Curious and eager to learn
C. Quiet and shy
D. Careless and messy
B. Curious and eager to learn
What did Reggie mean when he told Sampson, “I’m going to teach you how to live”?
A. He wanted Sampson to move away
B. He planned to teach Sampson discipline and better choices
C. He wanted Sampson to become a fighter
D. He was teaching Sampson survival skills
B. He planned to teach Sampson discipline and better choices
Why did Sampson lie about his grades?
A. He wanted to impress his friends
B. He was embarrassed and afraid of disappointing others
C. He forgot what grades he earned
D. He wanted to avoid homework
B. He was embarrassed and afraid of disappointing others
What point of view is used in the novel?
A. First person point of view
B. Second person point of view
C. Third person limited point of view
D. Third person omniscient point of view
D. Third person omniscient point of view
What happened to the money Rameck earned?
A. He lost it at school
B. Someone stole it
C. His mother took it for bills
D. He spent it on food
C. His mother took it for bills (but really she did what with the money?)
What did George discover when he went to the dentist?
A. He needed braces
B. He had several cavities
C. He wanted to become a dentist someday
D. He was afraid of doctors
C. He wanted to become a dentist someday
What advice did Reggie give Sampson?
A. Quit school and get a job
B. Stay away from trouble and focus on goals
C. Move to another neighborhood
D. Spend more time alone
B. Stay away from trouble and focus on goals
What motivated Sampson to do well on the entrance exam for University High School?
A. He wanted to make new friends
B. He hoped to earn money
C. He wanted a better future and opportunities
D. His mother promised him a reward
C. He wanted a better future and opportunities
Read the following sentence from the passage:
“He made good grades; had lots of friends; and walked with a lanky, confident GAIT.”
What is the meaning of the word GAIT?
A. The way in which a person walks
B. Style of clothes
C. Fancy shoes
D. The look on one’s face
A. The way in which a person walks
What does the word “portfolio” mean?
A. A loud argument
B. A collection of work or important papers
C. A type of punishment
D. A small notebook
B. A collection of work or important papers
What does “sternly” mean?
A. In a strict or serious way
B. In a silly way
C. In a relaxed way
D. In a confused way
A. In a strict or serious way
Why was Sampson arrested for the first time?
A. He skipped school too often
B. He got into a fight
C. He was caught stealing a car
D. He was hanging out with the wrong crowd during a crime
D. He was hanging out with the wrong crowd during a crime
What does “grimly” mean?
A. In a cheerful way
B. In a serious or hopeless way
C. In a calm way
D. In a relaxed way
B. In a serious or hopeless way
What was the author’s (Rameck Hunt) main purpose in adding the story of him getting money to pay for pictures to become an actor?
A. It demonstrates the many talents that Rameck had
B. To convey how he missed out on opportunities due to his circumstances
C. It illustrates that Rameck thought acting was his only way to succeed in life
D. To show how he ended up deciding to be a doctor instead
B. To convey how he missed out on opportunities due to his circumstances
If you do something “reluctantly,” how do you do it?
A. Eagerly
B. Happily
C. Unwillingly
D. Carefully
C. Unwillingly
What does it mean to “interfere”?
A. To improve something
B. To get involved and interrupt
C. To celebrate loudly
D. To refuse help
B. To get involved and interrupt
What happened to Razor?
A. He moved away from Newark
B. He became a teacher
C. He was killed
D. He went to college
C. He was killed
What does “stimulating” mean?
A. Boring and dull
B. Exciting or encouraging thought
C. Dangerous
D. Difficult to understand
B. Exciting or encouraging thought
Based on Chapter 7, what are two claims the author (Sampson Davis) would MOST STRONGLY agree with? (PICK TWO ANSWERS)
A. Kids from where he grew up had to find role models in unusual places
B. Sampson never should have trusted Eddie
C. Finding success in Newark was impossible
D. The temptation of crime was sometimes difficult to resist
E. Police were unfairly targeting him and his friends
A. Kids from where he grew up had to find role models in unusual places
B. Sampson never should have trusted Eddie
What does “plaintively” mean?
A. In a complaining or sad way
B. In a confident way
C. In a nervous way
D. In a funny way
A. In a complaining or sad way
What is the meaning of “inquisitive”?
A. Curious and asking questions
B. Easily distracted
C. Quiet and respectful
D. Mean and rude
A. Curious and asking questions
What is a “temptation”?
A. Something that encourages good choices
B. A difficult school assignment
C. Something that makes you want to do something wrong or unwise
D. A reward for hard work
C. Something that makes you want to do something wrong or unwise
What does “ridicule” mean?
A. To praise someone
B. To ignore someone
C. To make fun of someone
D. To help someone improve
C. To make fun of someone
If something “jarred” you, what happened?
A. It surprised or shocked you
B. It made you laugh
C. It helped you focus
D. It confused everyone
A. It surprised or shocked you
If someone speaks “bleakly,” how are they speaking?
A. Cheerfully
B. Loudly
C. Hopelessly or sadly
D. Quickly
C. Hopelessly or sadly
What does “insignificant” mean?
A. Very important
B. Not important or too small to matter
C. Extremely difficult
D. Full of energy
B. Not important or too small to matter
What does “vaguely” mean?
A. Clearly and completely
B. In a confusing or uncertain way
C. In a loud way
D. In a detailed way
B. In a confusing or uncertain way
What is a “deterrent”?
A. Something that encourages behavior
B. Something that discourages or prevents an action
C. A reward for success
D. A dangerous situation
B. Something that discourages or prevents an action
Which statement best explains how the boys begin to change in Chapters 5–8 of We Beat the Street?
A. They begin avoiding all friendships and activities outside of school.
B. They realize that success requires sacrifice, discipline, and making responsible decisions even when it is difficult.
C. They decide that natural intelligence is more important than hard work.
D. They believe adults cannot help them achieve their goals.
B. They realize that success requires sacrifice, discipline, and making responsible decisions even when it is difficult.