Multiple Choice

1. D (Various chapters)

2. B (Various chapters)

3. A (Various chapters)

4. C (Various chapters)

5. A (Various chapters)

6. C (Various chapters)

7. D (Various chapters)

8. A (Various chapters)

9. C (Various chapters)

10. B (Various chapters)

11. D (Various chapters)

12. A (Various chapters)

Long Answer

1. Drugs in the community of Harlem create problems for the families that live there. For example, one woman has a thriving business until she turns to drugs. Derek mistakenly leaves his camera on a bench, where someone steals it and presumably sells it for drug money. Willie, who had a promising career in basketball, was arrested for drug possession. The prevalence of drugs has such a profound impact on the community that Slam refers to those who are involved in drugs as “Harlem’s dead.” (Various chapters)

2. At the beginning of the novel, Slam lets his pride get in the way of letting people help him. By the end, Coach Goldstein encourages him to manage his pride and adjust his attitude to be a better teammate on the basketball team, which then bleeds over into the rest of Slam’s life. Slam realizes that changing is the only way to grow. (Various chapters)