"Bronx Masquerade" Quiz

1. Read the excerpt from paragraph 2. "I guess Raul’s self-portrait fits, since we’ve been talking a lot about identity. He’ll probably put it up next to his poem. You should have seen him hang that thing. You’d think he was handling a million-dollar masterpiece the way he took his time placing it just so". Which phrase best describes how Raul is characterized in this excerpt?

• Proud of his artwork

• Determined to get rich

• Concerned for his safety

• Confused about his identity

Answer explanation

Raul is characterized as proud of his artwork, as indicated by the care he takes in hanging his self-portrait, treating it with the importance of a valuable masterpiece. This reflects his pride in his creative expression.

2. Which words from paragraph 2 help the reader understand what the word tirade means?

• must be in shock

• talk to him

• he’ll snap

• one misspelled word

Answer explanation

The phrase 'he’ll snap' suggests a sudden outburst or loss of control, which aligns with the meaning of 'tirade' as a long, angry speech. This context helps the reader understand that a tirade involves intense emotion.

3. This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B. Part A Which inference can the reader make about Diondra?

• She considers playing basketball a waste of her athletic talent.

• She wishes to keep parts of her life private to avoid being ridiculed.

• She thinks Mr. Ward’s classroom gallery is embarrassing to students.

• She believes that Raul’s poem is amateurish compared to his painting.

Answer explanation

Diondra's desire to keep parts of her life private suggests she wants to avoid ridicule, indicating she values her personal experiences and feelings over public perception.

4. Part B Which quote from the selection best supports the answer to Part A?

• Now half the room looks sort of like an art gallery, which was the idea. We’re supposed to use the paper frames for our work. (paragraph 2)

• If you look close, you can see the smudges where he erased a word or two and rewrote it. Mr. Ward must be in shock. (paragraph 2)

• Everybody expects me to play basketball, so they pick me for their team, throw me the ball, and wait for me to shoot. (paragraph 4)

• I’m an artist, like Raul. The difference is, I don’t tell anybody. I refuse to give them new reasons to laugh at me. (paragraph 4)

Answer explanation

The quote "I’m an artist, like Raul. The difference is, I don’t tell anybody. I refuse to give them new reasons to laugh at me." highlights the character's struggle with identity and fear of judgment, supporting the answer to Part A.

5. How does Diondra’s perspective change after she views Raul’s self-portrait?

• She realizes she could create a better painting than Raul.

• She feels less pressure to be a good basketball player.

• She wants the positive attention that Raul is getting.

• She decides she is tired of hiding who she really is.

Answer explanation

After viewing Raul's self-portrait, Diondra realizes that she has been hiding her true self. This moment of reflection leads her to embrace her identity, making the choice to stop concealing who she really is.

6. Read the excerpt from paragraph 15. The law is be cool, be tough, play ball, and use books for weight training—not reading. Otherwise, everybody gives you grief. Don’t ask me why I care, especially when the grief is coming from a punk like Wesley. What does grief mean in as it is used in this paragraph?

• A cause of suffering

• Trouble or annoyance

• Deep sorrow or regret

• An unfortunate outcome

Answer explanation

In this context, 'grief' refers to 'trouble or annoyance' caused by others, particularly from Wesley. The speaker feels pressured to conform to certain behaviors to avoid this annoyance.

7. How is Devon affected by seeing Janelle in the library?

• He becomes more confident about his interests.

• He realizes that it is unfair to judge others so harshly.

• He realizes that he must sneak around more carefully.

• He becomes interested in learning more about poetry.

Answer explanation

Seeing Janelle in the library boosts Devon's confidence in his interests, particularly in poetry. This encounter encourages him to embrace his passions rather than hide them, leading to personal growth.

8. Through all three of the narrators’ perspectives, the author explores the theme of —

• being comfortable with yourself

• working hard for athletic success

• the pressures parents put on their kids

• the challenges of academic achievement

Answer explanation

Through the narrators' perspectives, the author emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and being comfortable with oneself, highlighting personal growth and identity over external pressures or achievements.

9. How does the author use first-person point-of-view to develop the characters and their perspectives? Use two details from the text to support your response.

Answer explanation

The author uses first-person point-of-view to provide intimate insights into the characters' thoughts and feelings. For example, the narrator's reflections reveal their internal conflicts, and their direct experiences allow readers to empathize with their struggles.