Punching the Air

Which of the following best explains the significance of the title "Punching the Air"?

• It signifies the protagonist's love for boxing.

• It represents the protagonist's fight against invisible forces of injustice.

• It indicates a sense of hopelessness and defeat.

• It is a reference to a specific event in the protagonist's life.

What theme is primarily explored through the narrative and poetic structure of "Punching the Air"?

• The power of friendship

• The struggle against societal expectations

• The impact of racial injustice

• The importance of family bonds

What role does the setting play in reinforcing the theme of racial injustice in "Punching the Air"?

• It is irrelevant to the theme.

• It highlights the contrast between different social classes.

• It underscores the protagonist's isolation from society.

• It showcases the diversity of experiences within a community.

How does Amal refer to his mother (what does he call her) throughout Punching the Air?

True or False: Punching the Air is an exact retelling of Yusef Salaam's experience as one of the Central Park 5.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Although Punching the Air is influenced by Yusef Salaam's story, the plotline of Amal's story is imagined and not real.

When people speak in "Punching the Air" the authors use _______ to indicate that it is dialogue.

• italics

• a different font

• bold

• all capital letters

What is the author's primary purpose in using a first-person narrative in "Punching the Air"?

• To provide an unbiased perspective on the events.

• To distance the reader from the protagonist.

• To immerse the reader in the protagonist's experiences and emotions.

• To confuse the reader about the truth of the situation.

Which literary device is predominantly used in 'Punching the Air' to convey the protagonist's emotions?

• Metaphor

• Simile

• Personification

• Hyperbole

What is the significance of the courtroom scenes in 'Punching the Air'?

• They provide comic relief.

• They highlight the flaws in the justice system.

• They are irrelevant to the main plot.

• They showcase the protagonist's legal knowledge.

How does the use of poetry in 'Punching the Air' enhance the narrative?

• It adds a musical quality to the story.

• It distracts from the main plot.

• It provides deeper insight into the protagonist's thoughts.

• It makes the story more difficult to understand.