Name:______________________________Homeroom:_______Date:__________________________
We Beat The Streets: How a Friendship Pact Led to Success
Introduction, Chapters 1, 2 and 3
Vocabulary. Read the following sentences and try to use context clues to determine the possible
meaning of the bold word. Highlight the context clues in each sentence.
1. We had to overcome obstacles like poverty and apathy and violence in our community.
Possible definition/synonym:__________________________________________________
2. In retrospect, it’s probably best that it happened that way.
Possible definition/synonym:__________________________________________________
3. If we had thought about how daunting the task was that we were undertaking, we probably
never would have even tried.
Possible definition/synonym:__________________________________________________
4. We often made foolish decisions, sometimes got involved in dangerous situations, and
frequently suffered the consequences of impulsive behavior.
Possible definition/synonym:__________________________________________________
5. We hope that our story will add a beacon of hope to young people in particular and to society
in general.
Possible definition/synonym:__________________________________________________
6. “How we gonna do that?” Sampson asked, intrigued at the game.
Possible definition/synonym:__________________________________________________
7. Leslie nodded, and the two of them hoisted the smaller boy between them and carried him
home, down the same street, which seemed even hotter.
Possible definition/synonym:__________________________________________________
8. But he’d never tell that to the dour nun in the principal’s office.
Possible definition/synonym:__________________________________________________
Directions: Match the definition to the vocabulary word and write the letter in the blank space.
_____ 1. apathy
A. done without forethought
_____ 2. retrospect
B. stern; severe
_____ 3. daunting
C. lack of enthusiasm or concern
_____ 4. impulsive
D. signal; guide
_____ 5. beacon
E. raised
_____ 6. intrigued
F. review of the past
_____ 7. hoisted
G. difficult; intimidating
_____ 8. dour
H. fascinated; interested
Chapter 1 – Sampson
1. What do we learn about Sampson’s neighborhood? Use text evidence and push in thoughts.
2. What effect did Sampson’s trip to the emergency room (ER) have on him?
3. What was Sampson’s mom’s reaction to his injury? What can you infer about her personality
from this reaction? Describe her using adjectives
4. Explain the author’s meaning of, “Kids learned early that walking with an air of being in
control was necessary for survival.” What does Sampson mean? Do you agree? Why or why
not?
Chapter 2 – Ramack
1. Ramack is exposed to a different culture in the Catholic School. Explain his reaction with text
evidence and push in thoughts.
2. Grandma places high expectations on Rameck. Using text evidence and push in thoughts,
explain what affect do these expectation have on Rameck.
3. After reading Chapter 3, what is the essential message?
4. What does the author mean by saying the floors were scuffed?
5. Why does Rameck want to go back to the public school? Use text evidence and push in
thoughts.
6. Explain how Rameck is different from Sampson? Use text evidence, push in thoughts and
adjectives to respond to this question.
Chapter 3 – George
1. What effect did Miss Johnson have on George? Provide 2 specific text examples and explain
how the affects were positive using push in thoughts.
2. Using text evidence, explain what kind of teacher Miss Johnson was. Describe how she was
different from other teachers in the school.
3. What were Miss Johnson’s expectations for her students? Do you think they’re reasonable?
Positive? Explain your answer.
4. What does the following statement imply, “Isn’t that school in the ghetto?” Is it positive?
Negative?
Name:______________________________Homeroom:_______Date:__________________________
We Beat The Streets: How a Friendship Pact Led to Success
Chapters 4, 5, 6, 7
Vocabulary. Read the following sentences and try to use context clues to determine the possible
meaning of the bold word and write its synonym. Highlight the context clues in each sentence.
1. “So does every out-of-work actor in the world,” she replied while looking at Rameck with a
grim smile.
Possible definition/synonym:__________________________________________________
2. She sighed, her eyes glazed and dull as she looked at her son. “What am I gonna do?” she
asked plaintively.
Possible definition/synonym:__________________________________________________
3. He was eager to feed my inquisitive mind, and I was a willing sponge, soaking up all the
information and inspiration he could give me.
Possible definition/synonym:__________________________________________________
4. “Repeat after me,” he continued. “Toughen my sinews, harden my bones, strengthen my
mind.”
Possible definition/synonym:__________________________________________________
5. “What kind of business?” Sampson asked warily. He had known Eddie ever since grammar
school and knew that Eddie had been in trouble with the police several times.
Possible definition/synonym:__________________________________________________
6. It sounded more lucrative than helping people at the local grocery store bag their groceries
or carry the bags to their cars for loose change.
Possible definition/synonym:__________________________________________________
7. Any legitimate way that he could earn a little extra money sounded okay to Sampson.
Possible definition/synonym:__________________________________________________
8. Sitting in a small cell that smelled vaguely of disinfectant, Sampson fumed and planed how
he was going to get revenge on Eddie.
Possible definition/synonym:__________________________________________________
Directions: Match the definition to the vocabulary word and write the letter in the blank space.
_____ 1. grim
A.) curious
_____ 2. plaintively
B.) profitable
_____ 3. inquisitive
C.) muscles
_____ 4. sinews
D.) cautiously
_____ 5. warily
E.) legal
_____ 6. lucrative
F.) serious
_____ 7. legitimate
G.) mournfully
_____ 8. vaguely
H.) slightly
Discussion Questions:
Chapter 4 – Sampson
1. How did Miss Johnson’s comments contribute to the development of the story?
2. What caused the woman to say, “But they are so well behaved”?
3. What lesson/moral can be learned from this chapter?
4. How would your describe the author’s attitude toward education?
5. What word best describes Sampson at this point in the story?
6. We are who we are based on our experiences-things that happen to us. How do experiences in
the neighborhood shape Sampson and his neighborhood friends? Use text evidence to explain.
7. At the end of the chapter, Sampson said, “But, never is a long time.” What does he mean?
Chapter 5 Rameck
1. What caused Rameck to ask his “Ma” for money? How does Rameck persuade his “Ma” to
give him the money he needs?
2. What can you infer about Ramack’s mom’s problems? Use evidence, but this is primarily a
push-in thought answer based off what you’ve read.
3. How do you think he felt when he wasn’t able to use the money to pay for school? What would
you have done with the money?
Chapter 6 George
1. Using text evidence and push-in thoughts, describe Dr. Thomas.
2. In this chapter, George said, “But it was like Dr. Thomas had plugged in a cord that buzzed
with electricity and excitement.” Explain what he means by this statement WITHOUT using
the words electricity, chord, or plug!!!
3. Read the following quote, “Sometimes the smallest, most insignificant events in life can
develop into something large, important, and life-changing. Look for those moments and grab
on to the possibilities.” What does this phrase reveal about George’s opinion of the situation?
Chapter 7 Sampson
1. What choice could Sampson have made to change the outcome of this chapter?
2. What does Sampson learn about the temptations of the street? Use text evidence and your push
in thoughts to explain.
3. What was the best advice Reggie gave Sampson? Why is it the BEST advice?
4. Explain Eddie. Describe your view of Eddie; what kind of person you think he is. Be sure to use
text evidence to support your push in thoughts.
5. How are Eddie & Sampson similar? What advantage does Sampson have over Eddie?
Name:______________________________Homeroom:_______Date:__________________________
We Beat The Streets: How a Friendship Pact Led to Success
Chapters 8, 9, and 10
Vocabulary. Read the following sentences and try to use context clues to determine the possible
meaning of the bold word and write its synonym. Highlight the context clues in each sentence.
1. If others make fun of you because you do well in school, don’t let that be a deterrent. It’s
stupid to fail, especially if you do it on purpose.
2. He walked regally and with great dignity, bowed low to the audience, breathing deeply in
the glory of the spotlight, the cheers, and the thunderous applause just for him.
3. Usually students had difficulty adjusting to the rigorous classes, especially if they had not
attended University the first two years, but Rameck slid in easily and made good grades
from the beginning.
4. The bus driver, angry that these kids he considered to be hoodlums were using his bus as a
part of their fight, retorted, “I’m not allowed to refuse anyone a ride on this bus. You kids
take your fights and your foolishness elsewhere!”
5. Regardless of where I turned, there was always another malignant situation brewing,
waiting for the right moment to take my life.
6. In spite of all that, I chose to turn away from the drug scene. I saw too many friends and
family members succumb to its powerful destruction.
7. I couldn’t help but wonder why more wasn’t being done to prevent the surplus of drug
trafficing in urban neighborhoods like mine.
Directions: Match the definition to the vocabulary word and write the letter in the blank space.
_____1. deterrent
A.) answered
_____2. regally
B.) submit to; give in
_____3. rigorous
C.) dangerous
_____4. hoodlums
D.) strict; severe
_____5. retorted
E.) splendidly; royally
_____6. malignant
F.) thugs
_____7. succumb
G.) excess; abundance
_____8. surplus
H.) obstruction; barrier
Discussion Questions:
Chapter 8 Sampson & George
1. How does Sampson’s mom compare the students at Dayton Street Elementary to the students at
University High?
2. Sampson lied to his friends about getting good grades. Why do you think he did this?
3. In “A Conversation with Dr. Sampson Davis”, Sampson talks about how good grades were not
valued by his neighborhood friends and how smart kids were teased. Do you think some of the
students at Franklin School have this same mentality? Explain your answer-whether you chose Yes or
No.
4. In this text, ‘on the other side of Sampson sat a tall, lanky kid with braces’, what does “lanky”
mean?
Chapter 9 Rameck
1. What is the main conflict in chapter #9?
2. What does the phrase “you can pick your friends but you can’t pick your family” mean to
Rameck?
3. In this chapter, we see Rameck as a tough street kid fighting and getting shot; and as an actor
and honor student at University High. Who is the real Ramack? Explain your response.
Chapter 10 Sampson
1. What do Sampson, Rameck & George have in common according to the second paragraph of
chapter 10?
2. How do Sampson’s responsibilities affect how he reacts to selling drugs?
3. Why does Sampson walk away from the drugs and his friend is not able to do so?
Name:______________________________Homeroom:_______Date:__________________________
We Beat The Streets: How a Friendship Pact Led to Success
Chapters 11, 12 and 13
Vocabulary. Read the following sentences and try to use context clues to determine the possible
meaning of the bold word and write its synonym. Highlight the context clues in each sentence.
1. “I think it would be cool to go into business,” Sampson said. “You know, become an entrepeneur and
own some big company.”
2.
“Where are you going, gentlemen?” the principal’s loud, authoritaran voice boomed behind them.
3. “Did you know that there is a vast need for minorities in the health professions?”
4. “You mean it’s free?” he asked incredulously.
5. These courses facilitate the transition to studying at the college level.
6. We also had no idea that day that we were forming a pact that would last a lifetime.
7. Some of the boys in the jail had been there many times. Many seemed to accept jail as part of their life,
as their inevitable future.
8. Waking up in jail was a surreal experience. That first morning I honestly thought I was having a bad
dream.
9. When I looked around at everyone there with me, I realized none of them were thinking about freedom
or choices or even the bad food. They were resigned to this life, as if that was how life was supposed to
be.
Directions: Match the definition to the vocabulary word and write the letter in the blank space.
_____ 1. entrepeneur
A.) agreement
_____ 2. authoritarian
B.) unreal; dreamlike
_____ 3. vast
C.) businessman
_____ 4. incredulously
D.) massive
_____ 5. facilitate
E.) doubtfully
_____ 6. pact
F.) unavoidable
_____ 7. inevitable
G.) make easier or smoother
_____ 8. surreal
H.) come to terms with; accept
_____ 9. resigned
I.) domineering; overbearing
Chapters 11, 12 and 13
Vocabulary. Read the following sentences and try to use context clues to determine the possible
meaning of the bold word and write its synonym. Highlight the context clues in each sentence.
1. “We teach the history of all Americans, Rameck,” the teacher replied carefully. “We try very hard
to be culturally diverse in our approach.”
2. The teacher changed the subject, saying it was time for class to begin, but Rameck seethed inside.
3. The police set up a guard, more to protect them than to detain them.
4. Rameck slipped into teh office and held his breath while the principal yelled at him for being
stupid, insubordinate, and thoughtless, all of which Rameck knew was true.
5. “You’re suspended from school as of this moment, Rameck. “Indefinitely,” he added.
6. When she asked them to pardon me, I was very thankful.
7. Maybe she understood the thoughtless, impulsive behavior of kids more than I knew.
Directions: Match the definition to the vocabulary word and write the letter in the blank space.
_____ 1. diverse
A.) release; set free
_____ 2. seethed
B.) delay
_____ 3. detain
C.) disobedient; defiant
_____ 4. insubordinate
D.) careless
_____ 5. indefinitely
E.) varied; mixed
_____ 6. pardon
F.) raged; angered
_____ 7. impulsive
G.) endlessly
Chapter 11 Rameck
1. What’s a lesson Rameck learned in chapter 11?
2. Why did the authors’ begin the chapter with “Yo man, what’s up with this class?”
3. List the series of incidents within the chapter that indicated Rameck’s anger? What do these
incidents tell us about Rameck?
4. What caused the instructor to say, “Don’t expel him”? Were you surprised at the teacher’s
comment? Would you have done the same? Why or why not?
Chapter 12 Eleventh Grade
1. By chance, Rameck, George, and Sampson listened to a presentation by Seton Hall University.
How much of their success is due to luck or chance? Explain your response with text evidence
and push in thoughts.
2. How does George’s attitude change from the beginning to the end of the chapter?
3. In the chapter, what does SAT mean?
4. Complete this sentence. The authors’ want the readers to think about…?
Chapter 13 Rameck
1. Explain the two sides we see to Rameck in this chapter. Describe how Rameck changes from
the beginning to the end of this chapter? Why do you think Rameck has “two sides”?
2. What does Rameck’s mom do when he calls from jail? What do you think of her decision?
Would you have done the same? Why or Why not?
3. The author wants the reader to think about…?
4. What is the moral/lesson of this chapter?
Name:______________________________Homeroom:_______Date:__________________________
We Beat The Streets: How a Friendship Pact Led to Success
Chapters 14 and 15
Vocabulary. Read the following sentences and try to use context clues to determine the possible
meaning of the bold word and write its synonym. Highlight the context clues in each sentence.
1. They split the money four ways and exulted in the ease and glory of it all.
2. Suddenly police cars appeared from all direcions, sirens blaring, lights flashing. Instead of running,
Sampson walked slowly, appearing to be unfazed by the commotion.
3. “I’m placing you under arrest. Because a gun was involved in the commission of this crime, you
are being charged with armed robbery and will be sent to a juvenile detention center in Newark.”
4. The boys he’d been arrested with had also been incarcerated, but for some reason, not at the
location where Sampson was held.
5. Each day took an eternity to pass by. The routines were strict, the food was awful, and the other
residents seemed to function as one mindless organism. Sampson did his best to keep himself apart
from their indifference.
6. The judge admonished Sampson about staying out of trouble, for his mother’s sake, if for no other
reason.
7. They were seniors, getting close to graduation, full of both brash confidence and hidden fears.
8. The three friends looked at each other with exhiliration and satisfaction as the bell rang for the first
class of that day.
Directions: Match the definition to the vocabulary word and write the letter in the blank space.
_____1. exulted
A.) arrogant; cocky
_____2. unfazed
B.) scolded
_____3. commission
C.) untroubled
_____4. incarcerated
D.) detachment; lack of concern
_____5. indifference
E.) rejoiced
_____6. admonished
F.) joy
_____7. brash
G.) imprisoned
_____8. exhiliration
H.) perpetration (of a crime)
Chapter 14 Sampson
1. How did Sampson justify robbing the young drug dealers? What would you say to Sampson’s
justification? Explain why.
2. In this text, what does plea agreement mean?
3. What do you think would have happened if Sampson had not been arrested?
4. How would you best describe the authors’ attitude toward education?
Chapter 15 End of High School
1. How did making the pact help Sampson, Rameck and George succeed?
2. Summarize this chapter in your own words.
3. What are the authors’ attitudes toward commitment?
Name:______________________________Homeroom:_______Date:__________________________
We Beat The Streets: How a Friendship Pact Led to Success
Chapters 16 and 17
Vocabulary. Read the following sentences and try to use context clues to determine the possible
meaning of the bold word and write its synonym. Highlight the context clues in each sentence.
1. They were all leaving the next day for seven weeks on the Seton Hall campus to participate in a
remediation and preparation program required for all students accepted into the Pre-Medical/PreDental Plus program.
2. No one had ever given them such affirmation before. No one had ever given them permission to
dream so large or to visualize the possiblilty of success.
3. A couple of weeks later, after Rameck had complained about the rigors of the program one too
many times for Carla, she stopped him after class.
4. “Strict personal discipline and adherence to rules are absolutely necessary for a doctor’s success!”
She glared at him.
5. “Therefore, the life span for African-Americans and the others in the group is far shorter than their
counterparts who can afford to pay for private care.”
6. Instead of being surrounded by negativity, the three of us were engulfed by encouragement.
Directions: Match the definition to the vocabulary word and write the letter in the blank space.
_____ 1. remediation
A.) hardships
_____ 2. affirmation
B.) strict following
_____ 3. rigors
C.) immersed; flooded
_____ 4. adherence
D.) equals
_____ 5. counterparts
E.) process of correcting a deficiency
_____ 6. engulfed
F.) confirmation of the truth
Chapters 16 and 17
Vocabulary. Read the following sentences and try to use context clues to determine the possible
meaning of the bold word and write its synonym. Highlight the context clues in each sentence.
1. Most of the students disappeared back into their dorm rooms, not wanting to antagonize Rameck
any further.
2. Rameck had reached the boiling point. “One,” he said slowly and ominously. “Two,” he
continued, a harsh threat in his voice. “Three,” he said finally.
3. Terrified, Rameck’s anger dissipated. Oh, my God, I’ve killed him! he thought.
4. Back in his room, Rameck prayed silently, repentant but unable to change what had happened.
5. It proved to be a bit more difficult than they had anticipated, because of liability and transportation
issues, but they did end up working with a couple of schools from Brooklyn.
6. I had to learn control. By no means did I want to forget where I came from or lose my culture; I
just needed to modify my behavior.
7. The situation had nothing to do with race—it was a learned reaction to the stimulus of a physical
challenge.
8. I will always be grateful to that student and his mother, who chose understanding instead of
retribution.
Directions: Match the definition to the vocabulary word and write the letter in the blank space.
_____ 1. antagonize
A.) prompt
_____ 2. ominously
B.) change
_____ 3. dissipated
C.) legal responsibility
_____ 4. repentant
D.) disappeared
_____ 5. liability
E.) threateningly
_____ 6. modify
F.) punishment; revenge
_____ 7. stimulus
G.) anger; irritate
_____ 8. retribution
H.) regretful; apologetic
Chapter 16 Pre-college Program
1. At the end of Chapter 15, Dr. George Jenkins refers to “strengthening the pact”; what pact is he
referring to?
2. the boys were given an assignment to write an acceptance speech for an award that they will receive
as doctors. Why did the professors want them to focus on an award speech when they were only
students?
3. What was the program at Seton Hall like? How did the program hold the three doctors accountable
for their success?
Chapter 17 Freshman-College
1. On page 137, George comments that he feels “like a rock in a snowstorm”. To what is that
statement referring?
2. How did the incident where Rameck lost his temper and assaulted another student change Rameck’s
life? What did he learn about people? Other cultures?
3. What was the outcome of Rameck’s life change? How did his encounter with the law lead to
community involvement?
4. What is the central idea of this chapter? Provide 3 details from the text that support your main idea.
Name:______________________________Homeroom:_______Date:__________________________
We Beat The Streets: How a Friendship Pact Led to Success
Chapters 18 and 19
Vocabulary. Read the following sentences and try to use context clues to determine the possible
meaning of the bold word and write its synonym. Highlight the context clues in each sentence.
1. Their on-again/off-again rap career took place during the tumultuous months of the East CoastWest Coast rivalry of Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur, who spoke eloquently of a world turned
upside down.
2. I don’t see anyone else around here struggling to get acclimated—they are used to this type of
lifestyle.
3. It was difficult for George not being with Sam and Rameck every day, but he loved his classes; and
for the first time, he really worked diligently to study and master the material.
4. It takes a lot of perseverance to hang tough with challenging choices.
5. Sometimes people try to suppress feelings of uncertainty and inadequacy, just to appear tough on
the outside.
_____ 1. tumultuous
A.) become accustomed to
_____ 2. rivalry
B.) conflict; feud
_____ 3. eloquently
C.) conceal; hide
_____ 5. acclimated
D.) explosive; violent
_____ 6. diligently
E.) tirelessly; painstakingly
_____ 7. perseverance
F.) expressively; persuasively
_____ 8. suppress
G.) uselessness
_____ 9. inadequacy
H.) determination
Chapter 18 The Rap Years
1. Infer what happened to the demo tape that P.S., Rameck and George gave to the VP at Bad Boy
Records?
2. What did music provide for George, Rameck and Sampson?
3. What two factors changed the rap career plans?
4. George makes this statement about rap, “Music is the decoration. Medicine is the solid foundation.”
In your own words, what does the statement mean? What was the message George was trying to give
to his friend?
5. If you were George, what would you have said to Rameck when he wanted to pursue rap music and
why would you have said it?
Chapter 19 End of College
1. What advice does Dr.George Jenkins give?
2. What are some of the reasons “Sam” gives for not wanting to be a doctor? What is really behind his
being unsure of continuing Medical School? How did the friends help Sampson during his moment of
doubt?
3. Why was it so difficult for Rameck and Sampson to become doctors?
4. What peer pressures or societal pressures did they both experience?
6. Pg. 160 What’s one reaction people express as a result of repressing feelings of fear and
inadequacy?
6. What is the central idea of Chapter 19? Give 3 details that support your main idea.
Name:______________________________Homeroom:_______Date:__________________________
We Beat The Streets: How a Friendship Pact Led to Success
Chapters 20 and 21
Vocabulary. Read the following sentences and try to use context clues to determine the possible
meaning of the bold word. Highlight the context clues in each sentence.
1. I didn’t have much faith in the system, but I believed in myself. That’s what’s necessary when hard
times come—resilience.
2. Throughout all the adversity, I triumphed when most would have given up.
3. Sampson slumped into a chair. His face wore a look of dejection and despair.
4. There were plenty of quiet times, when he would pray to God, asking for strength and direction. He
knew he would find answers to his dilemma.
5. He felt despondent, unable to maintain any excitement about his future.
_____ 1. resilience
A.) a sad and depressed state
_____ 2. adversity
B.) predicament; problem
_____ 3. dejection
C.) hardship; suffering
_____ 4. dilemma
D.) ability to overcome
_____ 5. despondent
E.) disheartened; discouraged
Discussion Questions:
Chapter 20 Rameck Medical School
1. Infer what Rameck was afraid of from the sentence on pg. 161 stating that Rameck always “drove
carefully and within the speed limit when driving late at night.”
2. DWB implies racial profiling. Since Sept. 11, 2001 what other types of racial profiling or
stereotyping have been occurring?
Chapter 21 Sampson Medical School
1. What challenges did Sampson face as a first year medical student?
2. How did Sampson deal with the results of his medical board test?
3. What is meant by the title “Sometimes you gotta fail in order to succeed”?
4. Why was Sampson so excited about the opening in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel
Hospital?
Chapter 22 Graduation from Medical School
1. What is meant by “Individually, their roads had held impossible obstacles.”?
CONCLUSION:
1. What are the top three lessons you’ll remember from having read this book?