Bad Boy

Which quotation directly expresses a central idea about books in the selection from Bad Boy?

• Away from books I was, at times, almost desperate to fill up the spaces of my life. Books filled those spaces for me.

• With school out and me not having access to Mrs. Conway’s cache of books, I rediscovered the George Bruce Branch of the public library on 125th Street.

• I began taking a brown paper bag to the library to bring my books  home.

• Being an athlete was Walter's favorite thing about himself.

One central idea in the selection from Bad Boy is that boys are “supposed to” act in a certain way. Which sentences from the selection best suggest this idea?

• There wasn’t any ice to skate on in Harlem, so I gave up hockey.

• I liked dancing, too, but I had to pretend I didn’t like it.

• When the girls had finished their dancing, they went through some stretching exercises.

In the selection from Bad Boy, why does Walter feel a connection to the children he sees on the trolley?

• The children, like Walter, are readers who are carrying books.

• The children are from Walter’s neighborhood and share similar struggles.

• The children are on their way to the library, a place Walter loves.

According to the selection from Bad Boy, what is Walter led to believe that boys should not do?

• exercise

• dance and write poems

• play hockey

• talk to teachers

Which of the following statements best explains how Walter, the narrator of the selection from Bad Boy, feels about books?

• Walter values books because they provide comfort and escape

• Walter likes books but prefers “boy” activities, such as basketball and punchball.

• Walter is passionate about books and will fight the older boys over them.

What is the most likely reason why Walter, the narrator of Bad Boy, plays basketball and other sports?

• Walter is a naturally gifted athlete.

• All of the kids in the neighborhood play sports.

• People in Walter’s neighborhood look up to athletes and push boys to play sports.

• All the kids in the neighborhood read books and write poems.

At what stage of life is Walter, the narrator, when the events of the selection from Bad Boy take place?

• new born baby

• elementary school

• young adult

Which character trait is most emphasized in the selection from Bad Boy?

• A) Rebelliousness

• B) Curiosity

• C) Timidity

• D) Indifference

In the selection from Bad Boy, what activity does Walter secretly enjoy?

• A) Playing football

• B) Dancing

• C) Painting

• D) Fishing

What is a central theme in the selection from Bad Boy?

• A) The importance of education

• B) The struggle for identity

• C) The joy of sports

• D) The value of friendship