We Beat The Street

What genre was "We Beat The Street"?

• Realistic Fiction

• Mystery

• Folk Tale

• Biography

Reread the first paragraph on page 41. What sentence best reflects the main idea of the passage?

• This is a true story. We are real people.

• We had to fight drugs and crime and hopelessness.

• Individually we probably would not have succeeded. But together, we were able to make it.

What detail helps support the main idea that they were able to beat the streets by sticking together? (pg 41)

• We started out in the toughest neighborhoods of Newark, New Jersey.

• I often made foolish decisions.

• We also want to show the need for strong role models in the lives of young people.

Fill in the blank.

On page 42 the story seems to begin in chronological order with the first time the boys met in ________________ grade.

• 8th

• 9th

• 10th

• 11th

In paragraph 12 on page 42, Sampson says, "Right now, all I know is I can't let the streets swallow me."

What does he mean by that idiom?

• He wants the streets to stay in his heart forever to stay true to his roots.

• He doesn't want the streets to become a part of him. He wants to be separate from the events there.

• He doesn't want someone telling him which way to go.

In "A Conversation with Dr. Sampson Davis" on page 43, what is Dr. Sampson's point about getting good grades?

• He says "cool" kids know how to do as little of actual work as possible.

• He says it's ok to fail in school. Kids can find high paying jobs without a formal education.

• He says failing is pretty dumb. Kids who failed were losers.

Find the word ridicule in paragraph 1 of "A Conversation with Dr. Sampson Davis" on page 43. Which word or phrase in the last paragraph is closest in meaning to ridicule?

• deterrent

• make fun of

• grab

Skim page 44 to help recall the events in the bus incident. We know Rameck taunted the boys in the cars. Then, those boys got out and started fighting. Next, the friends jumped on a bus. What happened after that?

• The boys jumped off the bus and proceeded to seek revenge.

• The bus driver kicked the boys off the bus because they looked like trouble.

• The boys chased them to the end of the line and shot bullets into the porch where they were hiding.

Fill in the blank.

The afternoon of fighting with another group of boys left Rameck feeling ______________________________.

• proud of his accomplishments and abilities to think quickly

• concerned about where his life was heading

• excited for the next day on the streets

Which sentence below states the main idea of "A Conversation with Dr. Rameck Hunt" on page 45?

• It is important to be a leader, not a follower.

• I did a lot of things my gut told me I shouldn't do, things I really didn't want to do.

• If you didn't conform, you might be labeled "not cool."